James DAY 5 - How to Grow Through Hard Times (Pt 2)

DAY 5
HOW TO GROW THROUGH HARD TIMES, PART 2
James 1:12-18

How do we grow through hard times?

James gives us five ways to persevere so obstacles become opportunities. We looked at three yestoday and two today.

The fourth way to grow is to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. In v.13-15, James warns about shifting blame when we’re tempted or when we sin or when we suffer the consequences of failure. We’ll even blame God! “God put me in this situation!” God can use anything to accomplish his purpose in us but that doesn’t mean God send us hard times. James says, “No, you sinned because something inside you what’s that shiny thing grabbing your eye.” 

Trials will show you stuff about yourself that you didn’t know or don’t want to admit. Trials will expose how you respond when under pressure. Dealing with that - owning that - is a big step to maturity. Own what’s yours to own. Take responsibility for what’s inside you so God can change you for the better.

Finally, James says in v.16, “Don’t be deceived…Every good and perfect gift comes from God.” What’s he saying in these last few verses? He’s saying TRUST GOD’S GOODNESS. Why does James end the opening section of his letter with this reminder? James ends with a reminder about God’s goodness because the hardest time to remember it is when we need it most. Trials test our conviction that God is good, that God is working for our good, even when life hurts most. Trials test our belief that faith in Jesus Christ is faith that works. 

But that’s exactly when we need most to remember God is good. And because God is good, God will give us everything we need to get through our trial and come out the other side better and stronger. It’s exactly what Paul the Apostle said in 1 Corinthians 10: “God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it.” 

If you need more evidence to trust God’s goodness to get you through, just look at Jesus. Because God the Father exactly that for Jesus. Jesus voluntarily suffered the cross to save us. He didn’t escape that trial. He endured it and the Father supplied a way out through Jesus’s resurrection. Jesus came through death to new glory. That’s why we can trust God’s goodness. That’s why we know faith that works grows through hard times.

The gospel promises that God will do for us what God for Jesus because of what Jesus did for us. God will bring us through to glory. That’s a promise!

REFLECT
How would you grade your ability to take appropriate responsibility for your thoughts and actions? 

PRAY
Every good gift comes from you, Lord. I trust you. I trust your goodness. Keep me focused on your goodness when I’m tested by trials. Amen.