Good Morning Father,

James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

persevere- v. persist, continue, carry on, go on, keep on, keep going, struggle on, hammer away, be persistent, be determined, see/follow something through, keep at it, press on/ahead, not take no for an answer, be tenacious, stand one's ground, stand fast/firm, hold on, go the distance, stay the course, plod on, stop at nothing, leave no stone unturned; informal soldier on, hang on, plug away, stick to one's guns, stick it out, hang in there, dauntless.

A trial is a test. I never quite saw it that way. What will I do if...
The enemy sits and ponders.
Here is the problem I see:
I am always on the defense and never on the offense.
Life is made up of teams. It is the Vols against the Bulldogs. It is the Colts against the Raiders. It is the United States against Russia. It is the Jews against the Gentiles. It is the Republicans against the Democrats. It is the haves against the have-nots. It is them against us. I can go on and on. I don’t know why I haven’t ever touched on this. I guess I wasn’t ready, huh?
I get so caught up in the “battles” that I can see.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I am so busy fighting wars that don’t matter. I need to change my focus. I need to change my strategy. While I am fighting these little battles, the enemy has me fooled. “Put out this fire...look, there is another fire over there. Hurry, let’s put it out.” In the mean time, the enemy is sitting and laughing.
When a person or a team always plays on the defense, they tire and become sloppy with their decisions.
It is time to go on the offense. Yes! I will have to play defense at times. That is until I can get a turnover. When a person stays barricaded in their fort, always protecting, they can never gain.
Father, you desire that I be successful. You desire that I have. But (and I know I am not supposed to start a sentence with But, but it makes a bigger impression) BUT, for the right reasons and in the right manner and heart. I have been on the defense for too long. I am ready to play offense. I am tired of being afraid. I am tired of protecting for the fear of losing. I have the best coach. I have the best team. I have the best schemer. Why am I playing like I am a poor pitiful little worthless spec in the universe. You did not put me here to lose. It took me quite a while, but I am figuring things out. Now I just have to change my mindset. I just have to change my perspective.
Father, I am ready to play. I want to be the quarterback of my life. You call the plays.