Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of
many kinds. James 1:2

No one prays for trials, problems or crosses to bear. Life just
has a way of serving them up whether you ask for them or not. And
despite the heartache, God promises to make your loss something
valuable. No trial is considered a waste in the eyes of the Lord.
In fact, it is the primary element He uses in this world to make
His presence known.
  
  -- Consider how Moses' exile from the riches of Egypt led him
to a life-changing encounter with God in the wilderness.  
  -- From David's fugitive existence grew a man after God's own
heart.
  -- From Mary's poverty and humble spirit, the Messiah was born.

James explains in 1:3-4 that these trials work the character of
perseverance into your soul, leading to spiritual maturity and
completeness so that you lack nothing, enabling you to always
live in the abundance of God. That's pure joy!

If you're in a place of complete emptiness today, let the Lord
paradoxically fill you with peace and comfort, strength and
wisdom. Then take those attributes and use them to infuse your
prayers for the nation, its leaders, and military troops and
families that you know.