Tag: Endurance

Want God’s Help? Get Serious

James 1:2-8
“My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.” (NET)

The idea of joy in trials may seem counterintuitive. When life feels heavy and confusing, joy is often the last emotion that comes naturally. Yet, James tells us to “consider it nothing but joy.” Why? Because trials test our faith, building endurance. And this endurance isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving, becoming “perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.” These moments refine us, shaping us into people who reflect God’s character.

But what happens when we don’t know how to navigate these challenges? James says we should ask God for wisdom—boldly and without hesitation. God isn’t stingy with His guidance, nor does He reprimand us for seeking Him. He delights in giving wisdom. The problem often lies on our end: we approach God half-heartedly, hedging our bets instead of trusting Him fully.

This brings to mind an experience from high school that taught me a hard but valuable lesson. I was failing my Chemistry 12 class—utterly lost and struggling. Desperate, I went to my teacher, Mr. Farrell, and asked if he could help me. Without mincing words, he looked me in the eye and said, “I don’t waste my time on students who don’t care.” I felt crushed. But I also knew he was right—I hadn’t been putting in the effort.

The next day, I went back and asked what it would take to show him I cared. He mentioned after-school tutoring sessions he held every Tuesday and Thursday and told me to attend if I was serious. I went to every session for three weeks straight. After the sixth session, he said, “Okay, looks like you’re ready to put the work in. How can I help?” From that moment, he invested in my progress, and I went from a dismal 12% to a respectable 68% by the end of the semester.

The turning point wasn’t just about my grades—it was about my commitment. Once I showed I was serious, Mr. Farrell’s guidance became invaluable.

This is similar to our relationship with God. He is always willing and ready to help, but we must approach Him in faith, fully committed. Half-hearted attempts don’t yield the wisdom or strength we need. Faith, as James says, must be unwavering—rooted in trust that God will do what He promises.

So, how are you approaching God today? Are you hesitating, holding back, or doubting His goodness? Or are you seeking Him wholeheartedly, ready to follow wherever He leads? God doesn’t ask for perfection; He asks for faith—a trust that opens the door to His abundant provision.

Trials will come, but God’s wisdom and strength are more than enough to carry us through. Let’s commit fully to the process, trusting that He is making us “perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.”

Your Best Life Now

The title may give you pause, especially if you’ve heard it used in ways that promise a prosperity-focused, trouble-free existence. Yet as we turn to 2 Corinthians 6:4-13, Paul offers us a very different vision of what “your best life now” truly looks like. It’s not about ease or worldly success but about enduring with integrity and grace through every circumstance life throws at you.

Paul writes, “Rather, as servants of God, we have commended ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and distresses” (v. 4, NET). The list that follows is sobering: beatings, imprisonments, sleepless nights, hunger. It’s a far cry from the kind of life we might associate with the phrase “best life.” Yet Paul calls us to redefine success in light of the Gospel. To live your best life now is to live a life of faithfulness—no matter what.

This passage is not a call to seek suffering for its own sake but to rise above circumstances with integrity and steadfastness. Paul describes a life lived “in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love” (v. 6). Even when surrounded by opposition, betrayal, or hardship, the call remains the same: to conduct ourselves in a way that reflects God’s character.

Why? Because how we live in the present carries eternal significance. The world may misunderstand, ridicule, or even persecute us, but our worth is not defined by worldly measures. Paul experienced being “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (v. 10). This paradox highlights a life deeply anchored in Christ, untouchable by external circumstances.

Here’s the challenge: How do we respond when life feels anything but “best”? When trials come, do we reflect the peace and power of the Spirit, or do we falter in fear and frustration? This isn’t about perfection but about growth—leaning into God’s grace to sustain us when our strength fails.

In verse 13, Paul exhorts the Corinthians, “open wide your hearts also.” The best life is one lived open to God and to others, vulnerable yet strong, humble yet bold. It’s not marked by worldly wealth or comfort but by the richness of a life lived in fellowship with Christ and His people.

So, yes, in Christ, you can live your best life now—but not in the way the world might expect. It’s a life of faithfulness, endurance, and hope, one that glorifies God in all circumstances and points others to Him. And as we endure in this life, we hold to the promise of eternal joy in the life to come.

Real Justice

In the trials of Jesus, we witness a profound failure of justice. Jesus, innocent in every sense, is passed between leaders who recognize His innocence yet bow to the pressure of an angry mob. Human justice, whether in the hands of Pilate, Herod, or the Sanhedrin, fails Him utterly. Jesus stands silent before men who twist their authority, and in doing so, He knows intimately the depths of injustice that can plague our world. For anyone who has suffered from unfair treatment, false accusation, or a corrupt system, this moment in Jesus’ life reveals a Savior who has felt the same.

Despite the failings of human justice, Jesus’ response shows us a vital lesson: He didn’t place His hope in these earthly systems, and neither should we. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, the ultimate Judge, who sees all things rightly and promises perfect justice. Jesus knew the Father’s justice was a surer foundation than any human court, and so He endured the trials set before Him, holding fast to the knowledge that God’s justice would ultimately prevail.

When we face injustice, it’s tempting to pin our hopes on human institutions, to believe that with enough advocacy, attention, or influence, things will be set right. But while we work to seek justice where we can, we’re reminded that ultimate justice belongs to God alone. Human systems, as important as they may be, will always have flaws and limitations. They are imperfect reflections of the justice that only God Himself can deliver.

In our lives, the challenge is to trust that God sees and knows our situation fully, even when justice seems delayed. Psalm 89:14 tells us, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.” This assurance means that no wrong will go unaddressed in God’s time and plan. He is the Judge who will not let evil win, who hears every cry, and who will make all things right. Until then, we are called to follow Jesus’ example, trusting God in our own experiences of injustice, keeping our eyes on the One whose justice is flawless.