“This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!” [James 1:1]

Truth #1: CHRISTIANS GO THROUGH HARD TIMES

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [James 1:2]

“In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in  heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” [Matthew 5:45]

Your mental attitude toward your struggle determines what happens IN your struggle.

Truth #2: CHRISTIANS GROW THROUGH HARD TIMES

“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” [James 1:3]

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” [Philippians 4:11-13]

But what if you can’t see ANY good coming out of this? 

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” [James 1:5]

We go to God IN our trouble, trusting him to walk with us THROUGH our trouble, asking him to grow us BY this trouble! 

“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” [James 1:6-8]

Truth #3: CHRISTIANS FIND PURPOSE IN HARD TIMES

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.” [James 1:12-18]

It is NOT true that God BROUGHT everything to you for a reason but it IS true that God will USE everything that comes to us for a reason.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” [2 Corinthians 1:3-4]

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [1 Peter 1:7]

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