"STRESS IS PURPOSEFUL"

Text: “... knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:3-8)

Open: How many times did you have to take your driver’s test before you got your first license?

Read the Back Ground Comments that I excerpted from my “Life Application Study Bible” in preparation to answering the questions below. Enjoy this weeks “Refresco”!

(v. 4) We can’t really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It’s easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly? God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain.  Instead of complaining about our stress and our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for promising to be with us in rough times. Ask Him to help you solve your problems and face your stress and to give you the strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave you alone with your problems; He will stay close and help understand how you can profit from them and grow close to Him at the same time.

(v. 5) By wisdom, James is talking not only about knowledge, but about the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances and to understand how God is using them in us. The wisdom that we need has three distinct characteristics: (1) It’s practical. The wisdom God relates to life even during the most trying times. It’s not a wisdom isolated from suffering, stress and trials. this wisdom is the tool by which trails are overcome. An intelligent person may have profound ideas, but a wise person puts profound ideas into action. (2) It’s divine. God’s wisdom goes beyond common sense. Common sense does not lead us to choose joy in the middle of trials. This wisdom begins with respect for God, leads to living by God’s direction, and results in the  ability to tell right from wrong. It is a wisdom that James describes at length in chapter 3. (3) It is Christlike. Asking for wisdom is ultimately asking to be like Christ. The Bible identifies Christ as the “wisdom of God”. (1 Cor. 1:24; 2:1-7)

(v. 6) To “believe and not doubt” means not only believing in the existence of God, but also believing in His loving care. It includes relying on God’s direction, and results in the ability to tell right from wrong. It includes relying on God and expecting that He will hear and answer when we pray. We must put away our critical attitude when we come to Him. God does not grant every thoughtless or selfish request. We must have confidence that God will align our desires with His purposes.

(v. 6) A mind that waivers is not completely convinced that God’s way is best. It treats God’s Word like any human advice, and it retains the option to disobey. It vacillates between allegiance to subjective feelings, the world’s ideas, and God’s commands. If your faith is new, weak, or struggling, remember that you can trust God. Then be loyal to Him. To stabilize your wavering or doubtful mind, commit yourself wholeheartedly to God.  
    
(v. 6-8) If you have ever seen the constant rolling of huge waves at sea, you know how restless they are - subject to the forces of wind, gravity, and tide. Doubt leaves a person as unsettled at the restless waves. If you want to stop being tossed about, rely on God to show you what is best for you. Ask Him for wisdom to understand what you can profit from the stress you are facing. Trust that God will answer your prayer. Then your decisions will be sure and solid.

Explore:
What is your attitude towards taking test? Read (v.3), what is your attitude towards this test? Why? What task of project have you accomplished that required great perseverance?

Get it:
According to James, what should a Christians’ attitude be when facing trials? How often is this your attitude in your own difficult stressful times? Why is enduring important? What reward/profit comes with enduring in the faith?

Apply:
What does it mean to be “mature and complete” (v. 4)? Who do you know that you think could be described this way? What characteristics do you see in this persons life? Are there any that you could emulate or apply in your life? What is a trial you have faced in your life? What helped you through it? In what area of your life do you need wisdom from God right now? What has kept you from asking for it?

Quoted from “Life Application Bible”