Tag: Trials

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.”

More Than Survival

Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted as a promise of God’s good plans for our lives, especially during moments of transition or uncertainty. It’s a verse frequently found in graduation cards, spoken over young people as they step into the next chapter of their lives. But the context of this verse adds layers of meaning that are often overlooked.

In the passage surrounding Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord is addressing the exiles in Babylon—the very people who had been taken from their homeland and plunged into captivity. These were not people living in comfort or ease; they were enduring a period of discipline and trial. The word “remnant” might not even fully capture their situation, as it usually implies survivors, but these were people in the midst of God’s refining process.

And what does God say to them in this moment of hardship? “Keep living life.” Build houses, plant gardens, marry, and have children. God tells them to live fully even in their captivity, not because they are to settle there permanently, but because He has promised them a future and a hope.

This instruction is not just about survival; it’s about living with expectation. The Lord’s promise is not voided by their current situation. He assures them that despite their present struggles, He has plans to prosper them and not to harm them, to give them a future and a hope.

As Christians today, we too are often called to live in difficult circumstances—situations that feel like captivity. Yet, like the exiles in Babylon, we are to live fully and faithfully, trusting in the promises of God. Our hope is anchored not in the absence of hardship but in the certainty of God’s ultimate plan for our good.

This perspective challenges us to see our trials as temporary and our hope as eternal. We are called to live in the tension of the “already” and the “not yet,” knowing that our current sufferings are not the end of the story. God’s promise is true, and His timing is perfect. We live now in anticipation of the future He has promised.