“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes
scattered among the nations. Greetings!” James 1:1
“WHEN ALL KINDS of trials CROWD INTO YOUR LIVES, don’t resent them AS INTRUDERS, but welcome them as friends! Realize they come TO TEST your faith, and TO PRODUCE in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will become a person of mature character and integrity with no weak spots.”
James 1:2-6 (Ph)
4 FACTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT DIFFICULTIES
1. PROBLEMS ARE INEVITABLE!
“WHEN all kinds of trials crowd into your lives…” James 1:2a
2. PROBLEMS ARE VARIABLE!
“When ALL KINDS of trials crowd into your lives…” James 1:2a
3. PROBLEMS ARE UNPREDICTABLE!
“When all kinds of trials CROWD INTO your lives…as INTRUDERS…” James 1:2b
4. PROBLEMS ARE PURPOSEFUL!
“Realize that they come…TO PRODUCE in you…” James 1:2c
3 PURPOSES OF DIFFICULTIES
• PROBLEMS TEST MY FAITH
“Realize they come to test your faith…” James 1:3a (Ph)
• PROBLEMS DEVELOP MY ENDURANCE
“…and to produce in you the quality of endurance.” James 1:3b (Ph)
•PROBLEMS MATURE MY CHARACTER
“But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed and you will become a person of mature character and integrity with no weak spots!” James 1:4 (Ph)
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO DIFFICULTIES?
1. REJOICE IN THE PROBLEM
“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials…” James 1:1 (NIV)
2. REQUEST: ASK GOD FOR WISDOM!
“If, in the process, any of you doesn’t know how to meet any particular problem, you only have to ask God -- who gives generously to all men without making them feel guilty -- and you may be sure that the necessary wisdom will be given to you.” James 1:7 (Ph)
3. RELAX & TRUST GOD!
“But you must ask in sincere faith, without secret doubts.” James 1:8 (Ph)
4. REMEMBER GOD’S PROMISE!
“Blessed is the PERSON who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)
