Gaining Perspective
Opening Prayer
Generous God, You are the giver of all true wisdom. As I read Your Word, release new insight to me.
Read James 1:1-11
[1] James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. [2] Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. [5] If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. [6] But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. [8] Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. [9] Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. [10] But the rich should take pride in their humiliation-since they will pass away like a wild flower. [11] For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What good can come to us from our trials and testing?The early church knew about being under pressure. Viewed as troublemakers by the civil authorities and as an unwelcome cult by the Jewish community, they must have wondered when the benefits of being Christian would begin. It’s the most basic expectation of one’s religion that it will make our lives happy and enviable. James’s idea of “pure joy” doesn’t sound like a recipe for happiness. Nor is it meant to be. James is steering his readers to something far more lasting and potent: complete maturity of character formed through perseverance (3,4). James describes it as a wisdom (5) which can only come from God through revelation and faith (5,6). On-off devotion renders the “faithful” impotent (7). But it’s hard to hold the course when you think of “struggle” as the enemy. James provides a fresh perspective, recasting struggle as our friend who accomplishes what the “good life” cannot, namely character. It’s why he says we should rejoice in humiliation, and warns about seeking earthly honor through character-devouring wealth (9-11).
Apply
When your life is a struggle, how do you cope? Try thanking God for the struggles even when you don’t feel blessed.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I trust You in any trials and difficulties that come my way. Use them to mature me in my faith.
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