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James 1
Tim Savage2Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.7Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1
So many important lessons from James 1 today. What is my attitude when troubles come my way? I think I’m horrible. I don’t like trouble or confrontation, but thinking back, maybe I’m not as bad as I think I am. Troubles don’t come from the Lord, but our faith grows when we lean on Him through it. So, when I ask Him to grow my faith I guess I’m really asking Him to allow trouble to come my way so that I can workout that muscle. If I’m flexing that muscle and my faith is growing then I should be happy! Aye, logic.
I love the metaphor of being one-minded in our faith. Don’t have partial faith in God and something or someone else. Have complete faith in God alone. Being double-minded is like a wave blown about by the wind, it’s un-rideable and ugly, whereas a good wave is a joy to behold and is exhilarating to ride.
Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. I can attest to the power of this! Often times just keeping my big mouth shut is the best strategy!
I want to be able to face adversity and trouble with aplomb. I want to stand firm with confidence, but also be gentle and merciful. I never want to be have faith in anything other than my Lord and Savior, never be double-minded and always be an epic wave. I will continue to be smart and be still – listen before speaking and slow to anger.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for speaking to me. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for being my Creator and Savior.
In Jesus name,
Amen
