Written By Donna Marie Leonard May 2, 2023

The other day, I was reading Jesus Calling. This book is a daily devotional, so there is a page of encouragement with supporting scriptures for each day of the year. Even though I don’t read this book all the time, the days that I do read from Jesus Calling, it’s always on point with where I am. And I know that’s God.

The scripture that went with the text was James 1:2. I had never read all of James 1 before; however, I am familiar with James 1:5 which tells us that we can ask God for wisdom. So, that day I decided to start at the first verse of the chapter and read to verse 5. I did this so that I could understand the entire context of what was being said in this part of the chapter. But, I did not stop at James 1:5. It was all coming together, so I read through to verse 8.

This all made me decide to meditate on James 1:2-8 for this week. Please read it for yourself (see the scriptures below). It will bless you! In these six verses, God is telling us that we are to “Count it all JOY” (verse 2) when we are being tested. Why is this joyous you ask? Because in verses 3 and 4, it tells us that through these trying times our patience is tested and therefore made perfect and want for nothing. Now, we could just stop there for those scriptures are great on their own. Yet, if you read verse 5 which tells us that if you don’t have wisdom it’s because you have not asked for it; thus, if you ask God for wisdom he will give it to you.

Then, verses 6-8 are a testament of your faith. “But let him ask in faith, not wavering…”(verse 6 KJV). As believers, we have already experienced that magnitude of God when we became saved; however, sometimes we don’t exercise our faith. Hence, think of this as a call to action of your faith. Verse 7 says it so plainly, “…let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord” (KJV). And verse 8 wraps it all up with “…a double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (KJV).

In summary, don’t fret because you are in a storm or your faith is being tested. Your breakthrough is on the way! In James, he tells us to count it all JOY when our faith is tested because the testing of our faith worketh patience. And if you have faith that you’ll get through it, you will.

It is not a comfortable feeling when you are being tried or tested, but know that you will always find comfort in the word of God.

Stay encouraged. You’ll make it with God on your side! I hope this blessed you, the way it blessed me.

Be Blessed, Jewels!

James 1: 1-8 KJV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:1-8 NIV

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

References

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Photos.Burst.Shopify.com

Written By Donna Marie Leonard

Donna Marie Leonard has been blogging for ten years. She is the published author of children’s book That’s Me. Additionally, Donna Marie is a magazine columnist and freelance writer. She is a script writer, actor, and producer in the Houston film community, as well.