Endurance during Trials Leads to Maturity

Verses: James 1 : 1 - 11

My thoughts about the verses:

Think about seeing a baby as they are learning to do the very basic things that adults take for granted.  One of the pivotal moments is that moment when they learn to stand on their own and take that first step.  Yet, it doesn’t happen overnight.  There are many stages that they go through. 

They must first learn to roll-over and sit-up.  They have to learn to crawl across the floor.  Then they slowly learn how to pull themselves up using different things to steady their balance.  They eventually take steps by distributing their balance on items that they hold onto.  Then when you least expect it they take that step.  The moment they become independent in a lot of ways.

Yet, all these steps come with trials.  They fall way before they walk on their own.  Yet, we keep encouraging them to try.  They want to be so much like us that they keep trying over and over again to take those steps.  Even when they start to walk there will be numerous times that they fall back to the floor.  Yet, through our encouragement and their drive they will continue standing and walking.  Until at last they find that independence and can walk on their own.

Christians are a lot like this.  When we first accept Jesus in our life we try our best to act and behave like a mature Christian.  We are shocked the first time that our faith is tested.  We have choices to make in that moment.  Do we pull ourselves back up and try again or do we turn away from God?  Those that are lucky enough to have friends and family that are Christians have the same support as that baby learning to walk.

Yet, for those that do not have that support have to depend on their connection with God to move forward.  We will all stumble yet, God is there giving us support to keep us balanced.  God gave us the blueprint to help us grow spiritually.  When we depend on the Bible as our study tool we are able to learn to walk in faith.

We will soon to come that trials lead to our maturity.  We would never have a reason to depend on God if all was good.  Just think what happens when they baby starts to walk on their own.  They only want help when they have fallen and hurt themselves.  This is how we are Christians are.  We learn to depend on God as we go through the day to day struggles life throws our way.  As we depend on God we will grow and mature in God.

Prayer:

We thank you God for your strength.  We rejoice in the trials that come in our life to help us grow closer to you.  Help us never forget to praise you for the guidance you give in our life.  Help us study you word.  In the name of the Righteous Savior we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Have you accepted Jesus?  Are you learning from the trials in your life?  Are you reading the word of God?  Are you allowing God to guide your life?