John 14:27 CSB – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
James 1:1 CSB – James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
Troubles will come. Anticipate them
James 1:2 CSB – Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,
Troubles are not an elective in life. Don’t fret.
James 1:2 CSB – Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials
- “various” = poikylos
Matthew 6:34 CSB – Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33 CSB – He said, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you
Acts 14:22 CSB – …strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 CSB – Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.
John 16:33 CSB – I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
Most Trouble Fuels Growth. Rejoice
James 1:2-4 CSB – Consider it a great joy… whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
“The extreme greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that it does not seek a supernatural remedy for suffering but a supernatural use for it.” – Simone Weil
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 CSB – because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Acts 6:7 CSB – So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number
James 1:2-4 CSB – Consider it a great joy… whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1:6-7 CSB – You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Passing the Test of Troubles Demands Wisdom. Pray
James 1:5 CSB – Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
Proverbs 9:10 CSB – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
James 1:5 CSB – Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
Isaiah 30, God says, Woe to the rebellious children!
This is the Lord’s declaration.
They carry out a plan, but not mine;
they make an alliance,
but against my will,
piling sin on top of sin.
2 Without asking my advice
they set out to go down to Egypt
Jeremiah 29:13 CSB – God says, You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.
Ask without doubting!
James 1:6-8 CSB – But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea,
driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
James 1:9-10 CSB – Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
Finances Expose Fools. Maintain Perspective
Proverbs 30:8b-9 CSB – Give me neither poverty nor wealth;
feed me with the food I need.
9 Otherwise, I might have too much
and deny you, saying, “Who is the Lord?”
or I might have nothing and steal,
profaning the name of my God.
James 5:1-3 CSB – …you rich people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you
James 1:9-11 CSB – Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.
Ecclesiastes 5:12 CSB – The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep.
Psalm 84:10 CSB – Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people.
James 1:12 CSB – Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Overcoming Trials Produces a Reward. Focus on Your Reward
Galatians 6:9-10 CSB – Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all,
John 10:10 CSB – I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
James 1:12 CSB – Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
