James chapter 1:2-8 in the message and the the King James Version.
The Message Bible titles this scripture
Faith Under Pressure
James 1:2-8 MSG [2-4] Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. [5-8] If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
So no plan b c d e f g, trust God!
James 1:2-8 KJV [2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. [5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
This entire passage is showing us that we should be diligent and devoted to having faith and that we should not be moved when pressures come. We should allow those pressures to develop our spiritual muscles. The pressures tend to draw out the things that need to be corrected in our own mindsets. We learn God’s character and statutes during times of crisis. We also learn ourselves pretty well too.
I’m going to give some clear definitions of words that are highlighted in this passage of scripture.
Diligent- constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything:
Devotion- Profound dedication; consecration. Earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.
Disciple- a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower:
Hebrews 11:6 KJV [6] But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We must seek his will and not our own, he knows what’s best. I’ve learned in my own life that if I pray for God’s best, many things in my own mind that I thought were correct began to fall away and room was made for God to work his work. This prayer calls for you to surrender to his will; relinquish the control you think you may have. It’s difficult to do, it’s an everyday decision because we are always faced with distractions. You start to see your spiritual growth when those distractions the enemy throws at you don’t effect you the same way and don’t shake the very foundations of your faith. Don’t be so quick to throw up your hands at the first sign of resistance, press through, your faith will grow and you will stop circling the same mountains, so to speak. The goal is to have unwavering faith.
Psalm 119:71 KJV [71] It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Another scripture comes to mind: You can’t put new wine in old wine skins. You need to be prepared for the new. Have a new heart and way of operating at all times. Mark 2:22
Application: When you want to have good results you are diligent at working on them. You keep working at things you desire and that capture your attention, like things that you see need improvement. When it comes to working out even, for example, building yourself up in some way or learning a new skill (whatever is important to you) we tend to focus on those things until we get the desired result. We should be like that with the word of God working in our lives and seeing His desires for our lives and His kingdom. We should be diligently seeking Him to be equipped to further His purposes. We should drop anything that would burden us and keep us from doing His will. Don’t let you get in the way of fulfilling God’s plan.
Side note: Sometimes we wonder why things go awry in our lives and we get discouraged, but at that point (before you open your mouth to speak negatively, remember life and death is in the power of the tongue Proverbs 18:21, don’t give the enemy a foothold) do a quick evaluation of your position, ask God to search you and bring things to your mind that may need to be addressed so that way you stay on track or get back on track for that matter, it’s never too late.You may be praying for something in your life, don’t give up or be double minded as the scripture says. Stay the course even if hard times come, even if what you have prayed for doesn’t happen on your timetable. God didn’t promise that it would be easy but he has given us guidelines and promises to apply and base our lives upon. Have unmovable faith and watch God move, he is always available. He is concerned with the impossible and also with what we may believe to be the unremarkable hustle and bustle of life. Allow him into all areas of your being so you can be a fully equipped warrior in his kingdom. Never lose sight.
Galatians 6:9 KJV says, “[9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Be a devoted and diligent disciple of Christ. You are God’s child and coheirs with Christ, stay in position and stay in faith.”