James 1:2-4, 12
Perseverance. It’s a trait that’s needed and applicable to every facet of everyday life: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Physical endurance comes through healthy living. We achieve that through diet and exercise. Granted, as we get older (and I resemble that remark), we might not have the endurance we had when we were twenty, but nonetheless, eating right and keeping active keeps our muscles strong, our bones solid, and our gut functioning. Emotional maturity comes with experience and outlook. As we grow in our relationships and add years under our belt, we become better prepared to handle things as adults and not like people having a hissy fit at the airport check-in…but I digress. Mental acuity comes through keeping our brains engaged. Taking on the challenge of puzzles, reading, communication, and interaction with real people, and not AI or social media. And then there is spiritual fitness. How easy it is to check the box of going to church, considering that our spiritual flex for the week. But our daily walk with Christ is our daily walk. It can be challenging because there are so many diversions that seek to rob us of spiritual health by distracting us from Christ. One of the misnomers that is spread by “health and wealth” preachers is that we will go through life riding a unicorn without trials. Nothing could be further from the truth. In his letter, James is exhorting the Jewish believers scattered about to live out their faith. In verse two, James writes “whenever you face trials,” not “if.” Life is a series of trials, each preparing us for the next. Our reaction or response will impact how we deal with the following trials. And it is our faith that can and will sustain our joy, especially when in the midst of trials. James 1:12 captures it beautifully. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Does your story reflect downheartedness and cynicism or persevering joy? The joy of the Lord is there to live out. All we have to do is embrace the truth of Jesus and the promises of God.
Perseverance. It’s a trait that’s needed and applicable to every facet of everyday life: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Physical endurance comes through healthy living. We achieve that through diet and exercise. Granted, as we get older (and I resemble that remark), we might not have the endurance we had when we were twenty, but nonetheless, eating right and keeping active keeps our muscles strong, our bones solid, and our gut functioning. Emotional maturity comes with experience and outlook. As we grow in our relationships and add years under our belt, we become better prepared to handle things as adults and not like people having a hissy fit at the airport check-in…but I digress. Mental acuity comes through keeping our brains engaged. Taking on the challenge of puzzles, reading, communication, and interaction with real people, and not AI or social media. And then there is spiritual fitness. How easy it is to check the box of going to church, considering that our spiritual flex for the week. But our daily walk with Christ is our daily walk. It can be challenging because there are so many diversions that seek to rob us of spiritual health by distracting us from Christ. One of the misnomers that is spread by “health and wealth” preachers is that we will go through life riding a unicorn without trials. Nothing could be further from the truth. In his letter, James is exhorting the Jewish believers scattered about to live out their faith. In verse two, James writes “whenever you face trials,” not “if.” Life is a series of trials, each preparing us for the next. Our reaction or response will impact how we deal with the following trials. And it is our faith that can and will sustain our joy, especially when in the midst of trials. James 1:12 captures it beautifully. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Does your story reflect downheartedness and cynicism or persevering joy? The joy of the Lord is there to live out. All we have to do is embrace the truth of Jesus and the promises of God.
Posted in Devotional