Welcome Friends!
This month I shared in the newsletter, Sitting in His Presence, some of the difficulties I’ve faced over the last few months. It hasn’t been the easiest of seasons as I’ve struggled through the discouragement of prayers not being answered the way I wanted, a dear family member lost his battle with cancer while another is just beginning hers, and an accident that resulted in a broken wrist and severe concussion for me.
With each blow I lost a little more joy and found myself tempted to close myself off to feeling anything at all so as not to hurt anymore. But conversations with those closest to me revealed I had forgotten the one thing I often ask others when they are hurting, “Where is your focus? Is it on Christ or on yourself?”. That was a “Mic drop” moment for me. In all my pain I had taken my eyes off Jesus and as a result lost my joy.
Once I refocused my eyes on Christ I slowly began to regain my joy in Christ. In this month’s Sitting in His Presence our prayer, scripture study and Tending my Pasture moment focused on Finding Joy. Today we are going to Dig Deeper into James 1:2-4 through verse mapping. Grab your journal, pen and Bible and let’s dig in.
- Step 1: Write out the verse:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you now that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
- Step 2: Look up the verse in other translations and make note of the differences.
Consider it (all – NASB, an opportunity for great joy – NLT) pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face (encounter – NASB) trials – (temptations – KJV) of many kinds, because you know that the testing (trying – KJV, when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow – NLT) of your faith produces perseverance (endurance – NASB, steadfastness – ESV). Let perseverance (endurance – NASB) finish (have its perfect result – NASB) its work so that you may be mature (perfect – NASB, ESV) and complete not lacking anything.
- Step 3: Cross Reference the verse or specific words in the passage.
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” 1 Timothy 1:12
“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:7
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3,4
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
- Step 4: Look key words up in concordance or dictionary to gain better understanding of the word.
consider – verb – consideration of external grounds, weighing and comparing facts, count
all – adj – the highest degree, the maximum
joy – noun – gladness, the cause of occasion of joy
encounter – fall into encompassed
trials – noun – adversity, affliction, trouble, sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s character, faith & holiness
many – adj – diverse
know – perceive, understand
testing – noun – trying, trial, proving
faith – noun – assurance, belief, believe
produces – verb – workout, bring about, result in , accomplish
perseverance – noun – patience, steadfastness, constancy
finish – adj – brought to its end, finished, lack nothing, necessary to completeness
mature – adj – perfect and entire, wanting nothing
complete – adj – whole, entire
lacking – verb- be wanting, to lag, be inferior, to be destitute
- Step 5: Rewrite verse in your own words and ask questions God brings to mind or write notes on what He has revealed during the process.
Consider it all pure joy when I encounter trials, disappointments, or adversity because when my faith is tested my endurance has a chance to grow. Let perseverance finish its work because when my endurance is fully developed I will be perfect and complete not lacking anything.
What trials am I currently facing?
Do I consider them a blessing or a burden?
If I see them as a burden what am I doing to refocus my eyes on Cross of Christ?
As I’m seeking joy are there other moments of trials in the past where my faith gave me the endurance to allow God to carry me through the hard days?
As I find the joy in the hard days how am I using that joy to encourage others?
- Step 6: Through rewriting the verse and asking the questions/writing the notes you now have a direction to pray over the week.
Dear Lord,
I pray for my friends who are struggling through trials and adversity. Lord give them the strength to stand firm in You so that they may grow stronger. Give them eyes to see you at work and hearts that trust your goodness and love for them. Help them find joy in the small things each day until they are on the other side of the storm.
In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
