READ James 1
Some trials come into a Christian's life to bring that individual to spiritual maturity.
 
INSIGHT
When we read "count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (v. 2), we can mentally assent to the wisdom of that. But in real life, when the duration and intensity of our trials goes beyond what we deem to be reasonable, we pass the point of caring. We begin to question the goodness of God. We question the rationality of the Christian life. We just want relief. By the grace of God we must accept that we are finally experiencing what James is talking about. Take courage. Be strong. God has not forgotten you. And as He is testing you, you will become spiritually mature - though you probably will perceive the growth only in retrospect.
 
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the God of love:
Come, let’s shout joyfully to the Lord,
Shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!  
Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving;
Let’s shout triumphantly to him in song.  
For the Lord is a great God,
A great King above all gods
(Psalm 95:1-3).
 
Pause for praise and adoration. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:
My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
Or lose heart when you are reproved by him,
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves
And punishes every son he receives
(Hebrews 12:5-6).
 
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,   so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified (Romans 8:29-30).
 
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater wisdom for living
• Needs of your immediate family
• Your activities for the day

 
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To the only God our Savior,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,  
Be glory, majesty, power, and authority
Before all time, now and forever. Amen.
(Jude 1: 25).