Part 1
Many people are being beat up by life and not realizing that life does not have to be that way.
We all have problems, difficulties, and challenges but I want you to know that when life gives you lemons, you can overcome them every single time.
(James 1:2-4 NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
(James 1:4 AMPC) But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
Trial or Temptation: (Greek: “peirasmos”) A putting to proof of what you believe by the experience of adversity.
Adversity = pressure in our lives. The enemy is desiring to generate pressure to get you off of what you believe through the adversity.
Three things we need to know about the troubles:
- The temptation, test, or trial is not coming from God.
(James 1:13 NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
- God does test us, but never with adversity. His tests are always tests of obedience to His Word.
- The pressure is coming from the enemy because of what you believe.
(Mark 4:14-15 NKJV) The sower sows the word. [15] And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
(James 1:12 NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Endurance – the ability to last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.
How to develop endurance:
- You must train before the competition begins.
(1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NLT) (24) Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (25) All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
- You cannot be entangled with the affairs of this life. (taking the cares).
(2 Timothy 2:4 NKJV) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
If you are worried, you are contemplating how you can solve your own problems.
(1 Peter 5:6-7 AMPC) Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, (7) Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Psa 55:22]
- Make the Word of God first place in your life by spending time in it.
(Psalms 1:1-3 NLT) Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. (2) But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. (3) They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
- If you won’t quit because of weariness, you will win.
(Galatians 6:9 TLB) And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
- Count it all joy when the test shows up.
(James 1:2 NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
(Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV) Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”