In today's weekday podcast, we're diving into a personal journey through James 1:2-3, where the idea of finding joy in life's challenges takes center stage. As you'll hear, this isn't easy, and it's something that even the host admits to struggling with. But through the trials, there’s a deeper lesson on perseverance and faith. With unexpected wisdom from Albert Einstein and a look at the lives of the apostles, this episode reminds us that adversity isn't just a burden—it’s a chance to grow stronger in our walk with God. So let’s explore how trials can shape us, and how we can lean on patience and perseverance, all while trusting in God's greater plan.
Hi, everybody. Thanks so much for joining me on today's weekday podcast, where I want to take a look at James chapter 1, verses 2 and 3. I'd give anything if I could say to you that I'm doing this well. As a matter of fact, I recorded a podcast on this text not long ago, but it keeps coming back to me, I mean, nonstop these days.
(0:43 - 1:09)
So I want to share this journey with you. Here's what James writes, consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing your faith produces perseverance. This whole concept of considering trials or persecution or difficulties as pure joy just sounds crazy to me.
(1:09 - 1:32)
And yet it's proven over and over again that as our spiritual temperature rises, Satan's attack rise as well. We shouldn't be caught off guard that Satan is saying, I don't want you to be more like Christ, so I'm going to make it harder. Albert Einstein, of all people, once made an insightful observation about dealing with life's difficulties.
(1:32 - 1:45)
Now you don't expect in a weekday podcast where we unpack scripture to hear a quote from Albert Einstein. I know, but listen to this quote, adversity introduces a man to himself. That's really good.
(1:45 - 2:07)
But adversity introduces a man to himself. When life brings difficulties your way, my friend, you see where you really are at your walk with God. When our walk with God is healthy, it is interesting how difficulties become something that we can work through, not try to avoid.
(2:07 - 2:25)
The Lord never promised his people an easy ride. In fact, the Bible is super clear in many, many passages that trial storms and suffering are going to be a part of every follower of Jesus's life. Jesus, as I've said over and over again, didn't come to keep me and you out of trouble.
(2:25 - 2:40)
He came to walk us through our troubles. If you don't believe this, just take a look at the lives of the apostles, the men Jesus chose to take his message of salvation to the world. Nearly all of them experienced imprisonment, beatings, even martyrdom.
(2:41 - 2:56)
God also doesn't automatically make you a patient person once you give your life to him. If so, I'm failing miserably. This whole concept of patience comes through the testing of our faith.
(2:57 - 3:20)
And he doesn't instantly make you a person of great perseverance either. Instead, he uses a process where the trials in our life strengthen us and make us the patient, persevering person he intends for us to be. Let this be your prayer today, Lord, help me to be patient and to persevere despite the difficulties I face.
(3:21 - 3:33)
Lord, I tend to be impatient. I'm prone to giving up. Lord, would you help me and strengthen me? And I pray all that in Jesus name, amen, amen, and amen.
