BE STEADFAST!
BE STEADFAST!
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. —James 1:2-8
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. —James 1:12
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. —James 1:22-25
Who wants to go through difficulty? Surely, we do not wish this upon ourselves. So how is it that we are to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds?” Here’s what we need to know about this— it is what the trials produces and not the trials themselves that we are to be joyful in. Trials are as “testing of your faith” which produces steadfastness. “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” God uses trials in this fallen world to encourage dependency on Him, trust in Him and a maturity of faith in our lives.
We need to be doers of the Word in these areas of trials and in all that God’s Word teaches us. Going through a trial? Ask God for wisdom and believe that He will answer. He promises to answer for those who ask, trusting Him. Asking faithlessly will not receive an answer from our Lord and cause instability in all our ways. Live out what God says and you will be blessed. That is His promise to us.
Self-deception comes when we do not live out His Word that we hear/read. When we heart but do not apply His Word to our lives we will miss out on His blessing, even in the midst of trials. We need to remain steadfast as we go through trials and at all times. Those who do will receive recognition from our Lord.
So, as we go through trials know that God has purpose in the trial. Trust Him and ask for wisdom from Him to go through the trial, be steadfast and to experience maturity as the outcome. Be faithful and you will experience God’s blessing!
Dear Father please help me to persevere when going through trials and at all times. You have called me to persevere in the race You have marked out for me. May I do so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus as I keep my eyes fixed on Him. May it be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s