t Is trouble in your life an opportunity for feeling joyful? What? Joy? That is what James wrote in this first chapter of his book. Troubles—like a broken plate, a broken relationship, a flat tire, weeds in your yard, a bad grade on a test, a bad medical test result, or your best friend dies—these can be discouraging or even overwhelming. Can you realistically feel joy? Your faith is tested as you could be relying on God to see you through or even protect you from the bad stuff that happens in life. Your faith is tested and tried. Can you endure? Take a deep breath. Trust God to come alongside of you and help you persevere. Let your endurance grow and develop. James tells us that when our endurance is fully developed, we will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
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| Which is the KEY for Trust? Do you trust in the Lord... with all your heart? |
All you who fear the LORD, trust
the LORD! He is your helper and your shield. Psalm 115:11
Trust in the LORD with all your
heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
But how
do we develop endurance? Paul tells us about the same thing as James wrote.
Faith in Jesus Christ brings us hope. Hope give us that opportunity to rely on
Jesus as we face trials and utilize our endurance to develop the characteristic
of strength like Jesus. Look at what He endured for us on the cross. Take
another deep breath. These problems we face aren’t the end of the world—although
they may seem overwhelming. You’ve got this with Jesus—you are never alone—and you
can endure and go on. Smile. Find some joy.
Because of our faith, Christ has
brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we
confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice,
too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop
endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character
strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to
disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us
the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:2-5
Rejoice
in God’s love. Step out in faith that He will help you endure…and fill your
heart with His love. It is a perfect love that endures forever.
And as we live in God, our love
grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can
face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such
love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is
for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his
perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:17-19
Love God,
love others. Endure. Be joyful.
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. James 1:2-4
Prayer
– Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, thank you for coming alongside me when my problems
seem overwhelming. I can count on You to be with me—and to help me, encouraging
me to endure.
Meditate.
Dig into God’s word and see His love.
Verse
of Salvation ~ So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation
and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. 2 Timothy 2:10
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character
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