In January I usually look for a verse for the year. This year I didn’t want the verse the Lord kept putting in my path. No really. I’m sad to say I actually told God–“I don’t really want that verse, can you please give me something else???”
So I haven’t focused on it like I did last year’s verse. Last year, I devoured my verse and spent time digging into its meaning, memorizing it, doing word studies, and searching for context and application.
I was telling Ben this yesterday, and he started chuckling and asked me, “How’d that work out for you?”
With a long sigh I replied, “The trials came anyways.”
Anyone else ever been there?
The Holy Spirit has been trying to help me work through some stuff and I’ve been resisting when I could have been preparing for it head-on.
Do you want to know what my verse for the day was yesterday? Yep, you guessed it.
THAT VERSE!!!
Let me be clear–I am all about the second half of the verse. That’s the best news ever.
Really, it’s about the “remaining steadfast under trial” part that has been bothering me.
Honestly, I thought . . . couldn’t God just grant me a 6-month reprieve from trials and just let my life be like one of those commercials where everyone has bronzed, sun-kissed skin, and are found laughing and frolicking on the beach.
I know–reality check right?
Yesterday, I decided to get digging and see what I could learn about James 1:12 because apparently this is my verse for the year and I needed to embrace it.
The 1st word we encounter is the word blessed–in this case, it means “happy”. So immediately we know that for us to be happy we are going to have to accomplish the next part of the verse which is “who remains steadfast under trial”.
“Remaining steadfast” according to Strong’s Concordance tells us to remain or stay with it, to persevere under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ and to endure by bearing bravely and calmly. The words that jumped out at me were “remain, to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ, and to endure bravely and calmly”. That’s a pretty lofty goal when we are going through trials.
One thing is for sure–this is the standard God sets for us. How do we deal with the storms in life? Abide in Christ, reflect Christ’s behaviors in situations, and do these things with the attitude of Christ.
Not an easy task, but one that we are capable of doing in God’s strength, because we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us!
I began to see this verse in the light of God’s truths.
He will be providing me with His strength, to endure and grow in my faith because I trust Him! I trust that He will help me remain grounded in His Word, His knowledge and wisdom, His power, His grace, and His mercy. Every single requirement to “remain steadfast” will come from Him through the Holy Spirit living in me.
Boy I needed to be reminded of these things!
How about you? Any trials or temptations lingering in your life?
Knowing who your power source is–this is the first step in persevering through the trials that come into our lives.
I’m going to stop unpacking the verse for today–I can tell this verse has many layers.
Let’s keep the pot simmering right there for a little bit and revisit it another day and let God show us more.
Or maybe you want to keep digging on your own–if you do, please share with me a “nugget” you discover. I’d love to hear about it!
Needed this today. Bless you
Hugs Sweet friend!
Yes, to all of this. Thank you, thank you, you’re such an inspiration on trusting God!❤
I’m praying that God continues to grow our trust!
I love your honesty about wrestling with God on a verse. I too did this last fall! Our small group suggested we ask the Lord to give us a life verse! I was so excited and couldn’t wait to see what He gave me. I thought He would pull out a unique verse that I’d never heard or at least rarely heard 😂 instead the Lord gave me a verse that is used very often that even most non believers know! A very beautiful verse on love. I love how the Lord is so patient with us like a good father. He doesn’t change the verse, just patiently waits for us to come to term so He can reveal to us what He wants to reveal. It makes me laugh now to think about asking for another! This verse just so happened to be all over my home already and yet I still asked God for another without it even dawning on me how drawn to it I already was. My verse was 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 💗 and it came at a time when I’d had been really hurt and loving like that was not easy.. However, now that I’m embracing it, the journey God is taking me on to teach me how to love like He does is blessing me through and through 😊
“He doesn’t change the verse, just patiently waits for us to come to term so He can reveal to us what He wants to reveal. It makes me laugh now to think about asking for another!” Yes!!! I know that as we dig a little deeper He will lead us to a truth we need.