Daily Devotionals for Women - Today's Encouraging Word from Scripture

Difficult Gifts

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial...Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above... James 1:12a and 17a

Have you ever received a gift that you did not want? Have you ever been given a gift that required great responsibility from you?

I became a follower of Jesus at a young age so my spiritual gifts surfaced at this time. It became very evident early on that one of my gifts is discernment. I've always been able to see people and situations, especially in a ministry setting, clearly. Motives (both good and bad) were rarely ever hidden from me. Even at age 8, I could often tell what was driving people to make certain choices. This did not make me popular. Kids are pretty blunt and I was no exception.

Eventually, I learned that it was more important to see and listen instead of see and speak. While all of us are all called to cultivate a deep prayer life, it is crucial for those with a discernment gift. If we walk closely with Jesus and know His Word then we will know when to speak up, because timing IS everything.

Over the years, I've found discernment helpful in ministry while often unpleasant in social situations. I see things all the time that I do not want to see. Each gift has its own specific hardships. My mom teaches about the challenges that accompany a mercy gift. People with a this gifting are often taken advantage of by people who don't really want help. (Which is an issue when there are so many other people out there who really do want help.)

I've discovered that none of us are alone in these experiences. What God wants us to do is to remain "steadfast under trial" as stated in James 1 and to remember that "Every good gift and perfect gift is from above..." Our trials are perfectly in tune with our gifts and with Jesus we can bear up under them. This life is only for a while. Soon enough, we will see Jesus, Who is our peace.

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to bear up under the trials that You have allowed in my life. Use them to refine my gifts. I'm so sorry for all of the times that I've been ungrateful for what You've given me. Your Son died for me, so the least I can do is to walk in the work You have planned out for me. And if that means seeing unpleasant things so that I can pray, then so be it. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen.

Journal:

What are your spiritual gifts? If you don't know, their are some wonderful online resources that are free if you look it up.

What do you like about your gifting?

What do you dislike?

What does God want you to do with your gifts in your sphere of influence?

For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org