Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Mixed Emotions – James 1:2-4 – Finish Its Work – Growing As Disciples

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

OK

OK, what? I’m here again. I’m in another trial. Normally, I would not be too pleased that I’m in another trial. I’m not a huge fan of trials. I have often railed and rebelled against trials. I have not wanted to stay in them. I have tried to get out of them as soon as possible. I have tried to duck them. I have sought to avoid them. I have backed up from them. I have tried to go around them. I have certainly not welcomed them into my life. That’s certainly true. What about now? I am saying OK. I am acknowledging that I am in a trial. I will let this trial have its full effect in my life. I will allow you to use this trial to mold and shape my life. Use this trial to do your work in me. That’s your prayer? Yes, that is my prayer. I am welcoming this trial into my life because I know that, even though you are not the author of this trial, you will use it to grow and strengthen my faith. You will develop perseverance in me. Yes, I will.

What has changed your attitude? Looking back over my life is changing my attitude about trials. How so? You have always been able to bring some great good out of the trials I have gone through. It may have taken a long time, in some cases many years, for me to see your hand at work in the trials I have gone through. I may never fully understand all the trials I have gone through. What I will do is trust you. What I have done and will continue to do is draw near to you as I go through trials in life. In every trial, I will come to rely on you. In every trial, I will ask for your help. I will cry out to you for wisdom. In every trial, you have heard and answered my prayer. You have drawn near to me as I have drawn near to you. You have helped me. You have sustained me. You have strengthened me. Yes, that is what I have done and will continue to do for you as you go through trials. For that, I would not trade anything. For that, I will endure every trial as you grow and strengthen my faith in you. That is very good. 

Lord, I know I am a work in progress. You are not done molding and shaping my life. You are still making me into the person you want me to become. I will joyfully allow trials to test my faith and do their work in me. Grow and develop my faith as I follow you. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Mixed Emotions – James 1-2-4 – Finish Its Work – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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