1) Pray for understanding in your mind, for trust in your heart, and for powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.
James 1:12–15
[12] 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. [13] Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. [14] But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Reflection Questions
Head: Do you believe that God is in control during tough times for you? What do you know of His character? (love, sovereign, merciful, just, etc.)
Heart: When challenging times come, how does your heart feel about God? Anger? Indifference? Unbelief? Trust? A mix of some of these things?
Hands: How can you continually be reminded that God is with you, that He keeps his promises? How will you let this help you to be faithful during challenging times?
We all go through challenging and sometimes painful times. These circumstances may be a result of natural disasters, of peoples' actions or of our heart's inner struggles. God reminds us that He is in control and that "God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). We can trust God's character, His intentions for us, and His power to follow through on His promises. This trust in God should help us to be faithful to Him and also to live according to His values and His Kingdom even during hard times.
Yet, this doesn't mean that we have to be perfect. Jesus calls us to abide in Him and seek Him, acknowledging our pain and weakness to Him. And if we stumble or stray under trials, we can always come back to Him. The good news is that Jesus never strays from us or stumbles.