Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you with the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is always a joy to gather with you in this sacred space, a place where we can pause, reflect, and find solace in the midst of life's storms.

Today, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a profound truth, a truth that can transform the way we perceive our problems, persist through pain, and pray for patience.

Our Scripture reading today comes from the book of James, chapter 1, verses 2 through 8: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

In these verses, James, the brother of Jesus, gives us a blueprint for how to navigate through life's trials and tribulations. He tells us to count it all joy when we face trials, to persist in faith, and to pray for wisdom.

Perceiving Problems Positively

When we encounter trials and tribulations in our lives, our initial reaction might be one of despair or frustration. This is a natural human response. We might question why such things are happening to us, and why we are being put through such hardship. But the words of James in the Scripture we read today offer us a different perspective. He tells us to "count it all joy" when we face trials. This is a radical shift in perspective. It's not about denying the pain or difficulty of the situation, but rather about seeing it in a new light.

This shift in perspective requires a deep faith and trust in God. It requires us to believe that God is using these trials to shape us and mold us, to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ. This is a profound and powerful truth. It's not about seeing our problems as something to be avoided or escaped from, but rather as opportunities for growth and transformation.

The first aspect of this shift in perspective is about understanding the purpose of our trials. James tells us that the "testing of your faith produces patience." In other words, our trials are not meaningless or purposeless. They have a specific purpose in our lives. They are designed to test our faith, to see if it is genuine and strong. And through this testing, our faith is strengthened and our patience is developed.

The second aspect of this shift in perspective is about embracing the process. James tells us to "let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." This suggests that the process of going through trials is not something to be rushed or hurried through. It's not about getting to the other side as quickly as possible. Rather, it's about allowing the process to do its work in us, to shape us and mold us into the people God wants us to be.

The third aspect of this shift in perspective is about seeking wisdom from God. James tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." This tells us that God is willing and able to give us the wisdom we need to navigate through our trials. We just need to ask Him for it. And when we do, He will give it to us liberally, without holding back.

The fourth aspect of this shift in perspective is about maintaining faith in God. James warns us against doubting, saying, "he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." This suggests that doubt can cause us to be unstable, to be tossed about by the winds of life. But when we maintain our faith in God, we can remain steady and stable, even in the midst of the storm.

Persisting through Pain

As we navigate the stormy seas of life, the waves of trials and tribulations can often seem overwhelming ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO