Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “This letter is from James, a slave of GOD and of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is written to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations. Greetings! 2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” ~ James 1:1-4
James (Jesus’ brother) wrote this letter to Jewish Christians who had been scattered throughout the Mediterranean world because of persecution. In their hostile surroundings they were tempted to let intellectual agreement pass for true faith. The book of James was one of the earliest letters; some believe it was written before A.D. 50. Because these early believers did not have the support of established Christian churches, James wrote to them as a concerned leader, to encourage them in their faith during those difficult times.
James does not say if trouble comes your way but whenever it comes your way. He assumes we will have troubles and that it is possible to profit from them. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain but to have a positive outlook, to “let it be an opportunity for joy” because of what troubles can produce in our life. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance.
We cannot really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It is easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly? GOD wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank GOD for promising to be with you in rough times. Ask HIM to help you solve your problems or to give you the strength to endure them. Then be patient. GOD will not leave you alone with your problems; HE will stay close and help you grow.
This letter can have rich meaning for us as we are reminded that genuine faith transforms lives. We are encouraged to put our faith into action. It is easy to say we have faith, but true faith will produce loving actions toward others.
For other verses dealing with perseverance (steadfastness, patience), see Romans 2:7; 5:3-5; 8:24 & 25; 2 Corinthians 6:3-7; and 2 Peter 1:2-9.
Father GOD, we ask YOU to help us solve our problems and to give us the strength to endure them. Help us to be patient when we have troubles and know that it is possible to profit from them. Help us to have a positive outlook and to use our troubled times as an opportunity for joy because of what our troubles can produce in our lives. Thank YOU LORD for helping us to turn our hardships into times of learning and for teaching us perseverance. Thank YOU for promising to be with us through our hard times.
Photo: Durango (Colorado)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
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