Am I enduring adversity? - Part 4

How to persevere trials

1. Joyous Attitude
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. - James 1:2 (Amplified Bible)

The natural human response to trials is not to rejoice; therefore the believer must make a conscious commitment to face them with joy in the light of an unassailable, unchanging relationship with the sovereign Lord of all creation. - John MacArthur

2. Understanding Mind
Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. - James 1:3 (Amplified Bible)

Through tests, a Christian will learn to withstand tenaciously the pressure of a trial until God removes it at His appointed time and even cherish the benefit. - John MacArthur

3. Submissive Will
And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. - James 1:4 (Amplified Bible)

The testing of faith drives believers to deeper communion and greater trust in Christ, qualities that in turn produce a stable, godly, and righteous character. -  John MacArthur

4. Believing Heart
If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.  For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord,  being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides]. - James 1:5-8 (Amplified Bible)

God intends that trials will drive believers to a greater dependency on Him, by showing them their own inadequacy. - John MacArthur

5. Humble Spirit
Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God];  and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.  For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away. James 1:9-11 (Amplified Bible)

Genuine happiness and contentment depend on the true riches of God’s grace, not earthly wealth. - John MacArthur

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. - Anonymous

Adversity is a bridge to a closer relationship with God. - Charles Stanley

Be Encouraged to endure adversity with an eternal perspective.




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