Jesus Bring The Rain!!

So, it's an interesting time in my life right now. I'm living alone for the first time ever, and while some days it's a struggle, most days I find it to be sort of a blessing. I'm learning the beauty of growing closer to God. Although, in the midst of that there are definitely moments when I feel the reality of spiritual warfare. For instance, I really feel called to serve in this one church, however there are so many reasons that it would be easier to just walk away and not go and serve there. I ultimately know though that it would make me disobedient to God. So, it's either walk with God and just endure this momentary pain, or run the other way and feel even greater pain. When faced with difficulties it is so easy to want to go the other way and take the path of least resistance. I'm also having to wait until I can sing with the praise team there after having experienced the joy of being apart of the team last Sunday, which I can understand, but it still hurts somewhat. I'm trying my hardest, totally relying on God, to not let this stuff going on distract from school which is my normal habit. So, my response to it all is to hold on to Christ. He has proved himself to be so faithful over the years, and I know I can trust in Him.

Verses that I have been holding on to now(one of my friends told me to read James, and so most of it is from there):
"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:7-10

"10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5:10-11

"1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

And as always I have a song, hehe:

Bring the Rain- Mercy Me

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing