Today’s reading is James 1.
We have been studying the book of James to begin 2026 at Eastview Christian Church, so much of the credit for this writing goes to Pastor Brandon Grant who preached on James 1 where I took notes.
I love the book of James because there is so much wisdom, and particularly in James 1, that is counter-intuitive to our worldly view of what happens to us and how we respond to it.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy,” seriously?! I don’t think too many of us consider it joy when we face challenges. But we are told in James’ wisdom from God that this causes us to have faith which leads to steadfastness which makes us complete so that we lack nothing.
As Pastor Brandon shared, God is not absent in our challenges (and I’ll add, as Satan wants us to believe). Instead, he’s working in and through us to shape us to be like Him. God’s goal for our life is not comfort, but maturity to be more like Him.
This chapter is very clear God is not absent in our trials, and He doesn’t tempt us either. However, He may not intervene immediately, as hard as that is to swallow, because He knows the good that can and will come out of it on the back end. Like my sister-in-law Kim says, He may even be protecting us from something else. Pastor Brandon shared in his sermon that God can’t shape our heart unless He has our eyes and attention. So, we are to ask ourselves, where am I turning in my current challenges? Am I turning to alcohol, drugs, or social media to numb the pain? Or, am I just constantly complaining? Let us turn to the only one who can give us true wisdom, peace, comfort, and strength.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
And I’ll close with anther quote from Brandon’s sermon, “the Christian Life is long obedience in the same direction following Christ.”
I must ask myself, am I yielding to God’s wisdom for understanding for the reasons for my challenges? Even when I may never know the reasons on this side of Heaven, am I putting all my trust in Him and using them to draw closer to Him so that I become more Christ-like?