Daily devotional · September 16
Joy in the Middle of Trials
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James begins with a startling instruction: consider it pure joy when trials come. He does not say to enjoy suffering or to pretend it is pleasant. He says the testing of faith produces steadfastness, the way a muscle grows under weight. Joy here is not a mood but a settled confidence that God is at work even when we cannot see how. Then he speaks straight to the confused: anyone short on wisdom should ask, and God gives freely without scolding, as James 1:5 promises. That is a relief. We are allowed to say, I do not know what to do. The only warning is to ask with trust, not swinging like a wave between doubt and belief. Today, bring one difficulty to God and ask for one thing only: wisdom for the next step. Then watch for the answer in a conversation, a verse or a sense of peace.
Also read
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5
Prayer
Father, I lack wisdom and I am asking. Give me a steady heart and clear direction in this trial.