James 1:2-4

I would like to set up a few things with today’s verses. (This is going to be long. Sorry.) First, the writer of the book of James was Jesus's brother, also known as James The Just. He wrote this letter to Jewish Christians but not a particular church. Scholars believe it was written between AD 48 and 52. Having grown up with Jesus, James could have hated his brother. Think about it, Jesus never sinned. That means even growing up. I think it would be easy to hate someone like that. We don’t know at what age James believed his brother was the Messiah, though, but he did!

Now, let’s talk about verse 2. James said WHEN troubles come. Not if. That’s an indicator that we will have trouble. Which stinks, but it’s also good because we know we are doing something for God when the enemy attacks. If we shift our mindset to review the trouble as joy, then we can help ourselves get through it better. The people who look like they don’t have any trouble are A. Lying & B. Don’t have an enemy because they are living for him. God can't and doesn’t do bad things to us. He is literally not capable of bad. However, when bad things happen, we have a Heavenly Father, Savior, and Helper to get us through it!

We are able to endure the hard times with them and because of the JOY inside of us. We won’t be perfect, complete, and needing nothing until we get to Heaven. Until then, let’s live for God with joy!! Who’s with me??