Times of Testing

Good afternoon and happy Wednesday to you all! This is Michele writing for you today. We have completed the first book of the Psalms and are now moving into the book of James. Living out our faith life is the central theme of this book. I am excited to see how God will speak to each of our hearts as we join together to study this portion of his Word. We are beginning with James 1:1-18. Go ahead and read it for yourself. Pay close attention to what God is saying to you personally. The following are the verses that struck me as I read:

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (v. 2-4)

This text does not say if, but when, troubles come your way. Life as a Christian does not mean a life of ease. Troubles are a part of life and James is reminding us that they will come our way.....guaranteed. This text also tells us how to respond to the troubles in our life. In fact, the text tells us we are supposed to consider them an opportunity for great joy. What!!! How can we be joyful when we are going through struggles? James is actually telling us that, in the long run, our struggles can bring us great joy as we persevere through them. We certainly should not pretend to be joyful as we struggle.

How about those of us who are parents, maybe starting our own business, or venturing into a brand new chapter in our lives? All of these are bound to bring trials! Trials help us to grow and become the people that God wants us to be. Many successful parents and entrepreneurs had to muddle through very hard times in order to raise their wonderful adult children or grow their business. In the end, they have great joy!! That is, if they were dependent upon God to develop their endurance along the way. And, God will give us wisdom as we persevere: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you, he will not rebuke you for asking" (v. 5). The encouraging promise here is that we always have God to lean on. We will not have real wisdom without the help of our Heavenly Father. It is just a matter of asking!

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (v. 12) 

We are all tested and tempted in this life. We always need to remember that God will test us but only Satan will tempt us. Satan will use the people or situations in our life that mean the most to us in order to bring temptation. This text goes on to tell us that if we give in to our evil desires sin will fester and ultimately bring death......in a very progressive manner. Death to our Christian convictions, our morals, and our values. If we depend on God to help us endure, we will not have to face our evil desires on our own. We have the conqueror of all evil on our side! I certainly want to receive all that God has promised me.....even if that means enduring whatever life on this earth will bring!

Dear Lord, please fill me with wisdom to live my life in a way that will honor you. Help me to depend on you, knowing that you have all my trials already solved. Please help me to persevere as I face whatever this life brings my way. Help me to keep my eye on the prize of ultimate eternal life with you. That is great joy!! Amen.

Please share your thoughts about this text with us! There is so much to gain from sharing with other believers. Please join in! We would live to hear from you!