The Book of JamesSample

Today's Devotional:

Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel? My wife and I recently had the opportunity to hike Half Dome in Yosemite National Park—a dream come true. The only problem was, on the way down, I realized I didn’t have enough water. I became so dehydrated that both my legs locked up and I fell over. At this point, I still had eight more miles to go. The whole way back, I was consumed with these thoughts: I can’t go another step, I just want to give up, I just want to quit.

We all have moments in life where we think we can’t go one more step. If I’m being honest, I’ve faced more of those moments in the last couple of years than the rest of my life combined. But I found so much encouragement in the book of James. In this book, James—the half-brother of Jesus—encourages the Church during a time when they are scattered and facing persecution and trials. He gives them instructions on how not to quit when life is hard.

James says that whenever we face trials, we should consider them an opportunity to be joyful. I actually love that James doesn’t say if you face trials, but he says when you face trials. For me, there is comfort in knowing I am not the only one who will face trials. They are a reality for each and every one of us.

How can we possibly consider our trials a joy? Trust that trials produce faith, and faith produces perseverance, and perseverance produces maturity. He is telling us that although our trials may not feel good, God will still use them for our good.

Most of the time, when we face a difficult situation, we pray that God would remove it—when in reality, He wants to use it. James isn’t saying that life will be easy, but rather, he is asking us to consider that what we’re facing might have a purpose—that our obstacle might actually be an opportunity. James is trying to help us understand that some things only grow through trials.

I am, by no means, a gardener. But I do know by browsing the plant section at Lowe’s or Home Depot that each plant needs something different to grow. Some plants need half sunlight, some need full sunlight, some need a lot of watering, and some only a little. James communicates that the only way we grow perseverance is through trials. It’s hard, but it’s also encouraging because we serve a God who can turn our mourning into gladness, our ashes into something beautiful, and our sorrow into joy.

I don’t know what trials you are facing today, but I hope you will remember these truths…

Whatever your trial, you are not alone.

Whatever your trial, you can still be joyful.

Whatever your trial, God will use it for His glory and for our good.

You can go another step.

You don’t have to give up.

You don’t have to quit.

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Today's devotional was written by Pastor Ryan McDermott.

Questions:

1. What situations make you feel like quitting?
2. How is God growing you through your trial?

Prayer:

God, thank you that you use trials to grow and strengthen me. Help me to trust you through every trial. Use every hard situation for your glory and turn every hardship around for good. Amen.