Perseverance

“2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1: 2-4

Questions to Consider: What does James mean by “not lacking anything?” How can we consider our trials/sufferings to be of “pure joy”?

Examples of Trials and Tribulations in Your Life School Financial security Relationships Work/Career Plans/Goals in life Emotional stability

James 1: 2-4 Explained James teaches us that to be “mature and complete” refers to the strengthening of our spiritual walk rather than what we can attain To be able to trust in God and have Him be the focus of our faith instead of our own self-will in times of hardship To be able to accept and move past the hard times in our lives To consider your trials as “pure joy” is to recognize God’s promises through Jesus Christ

Paul’s Message to the Romans “1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” - Romans 5:1-4

Questions to Consider: Think back to a difficult time you've walked through. Looking back, in what ways was God involved (even if you didn't recognize it at the time)? What did He teach you through the experience? Did you feel hopeful, discouraged, disappointed in such times? Did it build your character?

Challenges to Perseverance Impatience Lack of Faith Laziness Selfishness

“Impatience is a form of unbelief. It’s what we begin to feel when we start to doubt the wisdom of God’s timing or the goodness of God’s guidance. It springs up in our hearts when our plan is interrupted or shattered… The opposite of impatience is… a deepening, ripening, peaceful willingness to wait for God in the unplanned place of obedience, and to walk with God at the unplanned pace of obedience – to wait in his place, and go at his pace.” - John, Piper. Future Grace

The Promises When we focus on ourselves, our own self-will, plans/goals we start to miss the promises of God and His plan/purpose for us. Jesus says, “By your endurance you will gain your lives” – Luke 21:19 “Be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” - Hebrews 6:12 Patient endurance produces more than just what we can attain for our self-will goal, but it is the fruit for strengthening our faith in the promises of God Eternal LIFE!

Steps to perseverance Honesty Willingness Faith