Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – James 1:12 – Crown Of Life – Growing As Disciples
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)
Trials And Tests
How have you been able to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life? I’m not sure how to answer that question. Why is that? I’m not sure if I really have persevered and withstood the trials and tests of life. How can you think and say that? Am I wrong? Yes, you are wrong. You may not have passed all the trials and tests of life in a way that most benefited you. But, you are here right now talking to me. You haven’t run away. You haven’t abandoned your faith. You have held on to me through all the trials and tests that you have faced in life. I could have held on to you a little more tightly. I could have relied on you a little more completely. Yes, that is true.
What has happened to you as you have taken a hold of my promises? Your promises have sustained and strengthened me. Your promises have given me hope. Your promises have given me joy even in the midst of trials and tests in life. Your promises have helped me to persevere and withstand whatever trail and test that has come my way. Most of all my love for you has grown as I have relied on you and your promises. Do these words of yours sound like someone that has not been persevering and withstanding the trials and tests of life? I guess not. Guess again. No, these are the words of a person who has been sustained and strengthened by you. Yes, that’s right.
Where have I been when you have been in the midst of the trials and tests in life? You have been right there with me in the middle of my trials and tests. It has taken a long time and many trials and tests for me to realize that I have never been alone. Maybe that has been the real test. Say more about that. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to teach me to trust you. Maybe my trails and tests have been meant for me to rely on your strength. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to develop my relationship with you. Maybe my trials and tests have been meant to cause me to look to you and the future I will have forever in heaven with you. That’s a lot of maybe, are you really that uncertain? No, I am certain that all my trials and tests have and were meant to accomplish all these purposes.
Do you wish that you wouldn’t have had so many trials and tests in life? That’s a difficult question to answer. Why is that? I have never been a fan of trials and tests. They have been painful for me to endure. But, if I had not gone through so many trials and tests I would trust and rely on you less. If I had not gone through so many trials and tests I wouldn’t know you like I do. If I had not gone through so many trials and tests I would not have my eyes so focused on my life forever in heaven with you. Most of all, if I hadn’t gone through so many trails and tests I might not love you as much as I do. You have been with me to help me through every trail and test in life. Yes, I have been.
Lord, I love you. I know you love me. I am certain that you will help me to persevere and withstand the trials and tests of life. Sustain and strengthen me as I joyfully hold on to you and your promises through trials and tests in life. Amen
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Life – James 1-12 – Crown Of Life – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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