What To Do When Storms Blow In - James 1:2-18 Series

What do you do when the storms of life blow through your life?

Thesis: James gives us practical insight into what to do when the storms of life blow through our lives. Attitude makes a difference in the storm so make sure it is joyful, Ask for directions through the storm, Accept His direction and don’t doubt His insight. Then come out on the other end of the storm and receive A Crown of life!

Texts: James 1:2-18:

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Introduction:

James the brother of Jesus gives us practical insight into to how to handle the storms that will come rushing out of the night and into our lives. He gives good sound advice on what to do and what not to do in the midst of hurricanes and severe storms. The reality of life is --times of trouble and difficulty will blow across our paths. It is a fact of life! Most of God’s saints have known times of trouble in their lives. Life on earth always has to deal with a phenomena called storms. They blow in –they blow out – they upset the sunshine of life and most of us have learned that we have to deal with them. We need to just press through them because we know the sun is always shining on the other side.

I recall a couple of summers back we were driving across the country and we kept running into severe storms. I off course never quit driving – I just pressed on through the down pours and the lightening then we would eventually break out of the storm bank and drive into the sunshine. It was always so refreshing and relieving to break out of the storm. I remember thinking to myself these storms are like life’s storms they blow in and blow out. If you stay on your path you eventually drive out of the storm and into the light. The key just keep pressing on through the storm.

I once had a few people leave a church because they were upset with a sermon I preached. My sermon was on the book of Job. They said that they left because Christians do not have to suffer. They honestly believed that if you had enough faith you would never face trials, troubles, storms or difficulty in your life. I was amazed at this philosophy of life. Because as I read and study the Bible I have discovered over and over, that we are constantly reminded that trials, trouble, storms, heartache, tragedy will come into Christians lives. No one is exempt from these storms of life.

I have sat and pondered this thought also, “Man I wish I could honestly say that as a Christian you will never have to face trials, tribulations, or storms.” But I cannot say it because I would be liar if I said that.