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underneath the iceberg


James 1:2-4  ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Yesterday I pointed readers to look at an iceberg.  People see the part that is above the water.  It is perceived that person, by way of the example of the iceberg, is successful and full of all that is right in life.  There are few, or even none, flaws and hang ups in life.

That couldn’t be farther from the truth because what is under the iceberg, what is under the water.  If you look at the picture from yesterday’s post, or even todays, you might see the truth of pain, heartache and failure, but you will also pointed toward growth and learning.  And honestly, I have a lot to learn.  Maybe you do as well.

The verse I began with today are ones that I memorized as a young teenager.  Actually I listened to a sermon from my aunt’s pastor over and over again about these verses, but it wasn’t until much later in life that I began to understand that purpose comes out of pain and faith can flourish from the failures we experience.

Look at the picture that goes with this post.  The words under the water in the picture from Zig Zilgar, leadership teacher, are persistence, good habits, failure and more.  I can and must learn from those things.

Built from the experiences of life, or the trials that God says I should get joy from, will lead me to greater impact and to success.  Letting those things work in me I will be stronger and better.  God is working in me as I an honest about my flaws, own them and learn from them.
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