Facts About Stress Series

Series: Jesus’ Half Brother- James [#1]

FACTS ABOUT STRESS

James 1:1-12

Introduction:

We are going to begin a Sunday School Series about the letters written by Jesus’ Half Brothers. We will start with James. James is a practical Book of the Bible- It is fitting for today’s Church. This Book was written to the Christian Jews scattered outside Palestine, but the Book is also written to us. We are going to begin this study by looking at several facts concerning stress.

In some ways, stress has become the scapegoat, the excuse of man. James’ 1st words to the people were about how to deal with stress and pressure in the place where they lived. These people were facing very difficult trials. James wanted to show that stress is not necessarily your enemy if you will deal with it biblically. James begins his Letter by giving us facts that can turn stress from an enemy to a friend.

James 1:1-2

Stress is…

1. Predictable.

When James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds”, notice that he says when, not if. Stress is predictable- It is going to happen. Some of us have learned to deal with it, some of us have not.

Sometimes, the trials are of…

* Correction.

Sometimes we go through things so that we can change how we behave- Jonah is a great example of this.

Sometimes, the trials are of…

* Perfection.

Sometimes we go through things so that our faith is strengthened and perfected- The Disciples on the Sea of Galilee in the midst of a storm were where God told them to be and were doing what He told them to do.

Paul said these trials were “common to man”. Once we realize that stress is predictable, then we can move on and learn to deal with it.

James 1:2

Stress is…

2. Problematic.

Just because these trials are predictable, does not mean they should be dealt with lightly. Stress not only happens; it also hurts. James tells us to consider it pure joy when we “face trials of many kinds”. James knew that trials were not all alike- Some are job related, some are financial, some are domestic, some result from fear of failure.

Sometimes we face trials that are natural- Like accidents, sickness, painful circumstances, or disappointments. At other times, we face trials that are supernatural. Although these trials are problematic, there is hope. We should take comfort in the fact that the stress of trials is short-lived.

James 1:2-4

Stress is…

3. Paradoxical.

James said we should consider it pure joy when we face these trials of many kinds. Could this be a misprint? We generally count it all joy when we avoid trials and tribulations. Talk about a paradox. What James tells us to do seems opposite to the way we would naturally look at difficulties. Jesus looked beyond His own suffering. James said that we should consider it joy because it is used to make us more spiritually mature.

James 1:3-8

Stress is…

4. Purposeful.

Stress produces…

* Purity.

A purpose of stress is to lead us to purity. James reminds us that “the testing of your faith produces perseverance”. The word picture illustrates a precious metal being heated until it is liquid, and its impurities rise to the top and are scraped off. James reminds us that our trials are for a purpose, and 1 of those purposes is to produce purity in our lives.

Stress produces…

* Perseverance.

James said the testing of our faith develops perseverance. James is saying the testing of our faith develops the staying power that will help us stand up under other tests.

Stress produces…

* Perfection.

Another purpose of stress is to lead us to perfection. The word mature means to end, to carry work to its end, to become full-grown.

Stress produces…

* Prayer.

Another benefit of stressful trials is that they drive us to pray. James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.” We live in a time where true wisdom seems hard to find. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts. Wisdom is the ability to deal with facts and use them in practical ways.

James 1:9-12

Stress is…

5. Profitable.

This describes 3 men- The man with poverty, the man with plenty, and the man with pressure. The trials God allows have a way of bringing us all to 1 level. As a pastor, I have been with those in poverty, I have been with those in plenty, and I have been with those under pressure. I have seen how stress and trials have become profitable for those who have learned to deal with them.

The world may think that such a person is not worth much, but God says he is worth very much. Here is a mystery of the Christian life- The last shall be 1st and the low shall be made high. James said, “But the rich should take pride in their humiliation- since they will pass away like a wild flower”. The Gospel has a leveling effect. James reminds us that stress is profitable not only for those in poverty and those in plenty; but for those under pressure.

Conclusion:

We can think ahead to the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.