This post is Day 14 in a series of studies about “Work/Works”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Work/Works – Day 14

This word for today from James is not about work or labour that anyone does, but about allowing something else to work in and through us. James encourages us to embrace the problems of life and to allow all we struggle with in the difficult times to work on us.

James 1:4

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The Thought

This word for today is not about work or labour that anyone does, but about allowing something else to work in and through us. James encourages us to embrace the problems of life and to allow all we struggle with in the difficult times to have an effect on our personality, or to “work” on us.

Most of us as adults can look back on difficult moments of life and say; “that’s when I learned to be more patient”, or “when I was struggling with that problem, I saw my true character coming through”!

James literally tells us at the beginning of his letter to be happy when life gets difficult! Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2).

It is not always easy to be one hundred percent obedient to Biblical teaching in the difficult times, but all of us know that we are in a learning process, and that no-one escapes those in some form or another. God is trying to make us more like Him!

Action

Think today about how you reacted the last time you were facing a challenge. What did you learn from that experience?

Read James 1 and let it challenge you in the attitudes you have towards different situations. Pray for help where necessary, knowing that the Lord hears our prayers and is longing to help us to be better witnesses for Him. Not just when we are talking about our relationship with Jesus, but in everything we do and everything we are.

Remember that often the best witness is the silent one. Our everyday lives are bigger witnesses than most of us realise.

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