Today’s passage: James 1:2-4
Helpful thoughts:
- For the Christian, trials and hardships produce something very good. No trial is wasted.
- When you know this to be true, there can be joy in the midst of difficulty.
- Verse 4 carries the idea of submission. A patient, submissive spirit to the Lord will allow the trial to have its full positive effect.
Questions to consider:
- Why do we hate difficulty/hardship so much? What are we trying to avoid? What kind of life do we want?
- Romans 8 promises that everything “will work together” to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. What are some things that we would rather have than to be like Jesus? How does that tempt us to be angry with God when things aren’t going the way we want?
- How does the kindness of God in the midst of your trials give you a greater love and appreciation for Him and His grace?
- Think of a hardship you might be in or were in recently. How did God use that to help you grow? How did you change for the better? Who could you share that with to bring glory to God?