Mustard Seed Faith Challenge~ Joy!

Hi and welcome to a new challenge at Mustard Seed Faith Challenges!
This week our Mustard Seed Faith Challenge Team Member, Nancy Nickel of The Nickel Nook (link on my sidebar) is doing a short and powerful devotional on Joy! The challenge is taken from this verse:



“Consider it pure JOY, my brothers and sisters, 

whenever you face trials of many kinds…”
James 1:2 NIV

I don't think this verse challenge could have come in a more timely manner; as the past couple of months have had untold trials of many kinds...as in all kinds...all at the same time. I can honestly say my joy has not only worn thin, but worn out...as troubles increase.  Sometimes, most of the time, my inclination is to name off all my trials and then wonder how much more can I take? When I am tempted to do this...I begin to ask God; what are you trying to do? Or specifically, what do you want me to do? Sometimes, our trials are just a part of living, ...but often times, our trials are God getting our attention and shifting our focus off of our  "momentary light affliction." and onto the "producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17

Knowing our trials are not wasted, but always sifted through God's loving fingers makes the trial bearable when we look at it from God's perspective. 

One of my favorite ways to overcome discouragement is by being a blessing to someone else. The act alone shifts the focus from me to someone else and it does bring me joy! I enjoy doing it...even if the person I am doing it for doesn't respond...it is in the blessing that I am blessed in return.  This card will go to someone who I hope will be encouraged by reading it. 

My card today uses a diecut from Papertrey Ink, first cut out...then each petal was watercolored using Zig Markers in a variety of pastels. I glued it to my base, then added a little shimmer with a Wink of Stella Pen. The sentiment is stamped in two shades of Ink to give a bit of shadow. Lastly, tiny pearls were added to a few of the petal centers.

I hope you will join us for this fun challenge! Head over to the Mustard Seed Faith blog and see what it's all about and also see all kinds of pretty cards! Can't wait to see what you make!