I love this time of year. January is a month for new beginnings, restarts, new goals, and yearly resolutions…which, if I’m honest, I always struggle to keep.
It’s a time for looking over the previous year and reflecting on the good, the bad and yes…even the ugly. A time to step back and celebrate what went well and…evaluate what didn’t.
But no matter how your previous year went or how this year has already started, one thing that will be constant year after year is trials.
I find it interesting that James, the author of this book of the Bible, sees it fit to begin with this truth.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers (and sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything…” James 1:2-4
Friend, I hate to break it to you but it’s not a matter of “if” the trials will come but “when” they come…how will you respond?
Like it or not, trials in our lives are here to stay, but the good news is we don’t have to be victims of them any longer…we have a choice.
We can either choose to find the “joy” in the trial and thereby learn and grow as a result, or we can choose to resist and fight the trial and thereby miss out on the personal growth that could have come from learning through the experience.
I know when you are going through a trial, it feels like you are the only one who has ever experienced anything this hard, this hurtful…this intense. But let me reassure you…you are in good company! In almost every story in the Bible, whether it’s Ruth struggling to make ends meet, Abraham clinging to God’s promises in the midst of the waiting or Moses trying to lead a group of reluctant followers through the desert, as a daughter to the King of Kings…you, my dear, are part of an amazing lineage of overcomers! Never forget the lessons we can learn from those who have gone before as they persevered through their trials and taught us that with God, our trials can turn into triumphs.
So we have a choice as we head into a new year. Will we learn and grow from the trials and allow God to turn them from trials to triumphs? Or will we choose to close ourselves off, harden our hearts and miss the valuable lessons that could have helped us develop perseverance and grow us toward greater spiritual maturity?
Listen, it’s not a matter of putting on a fake happy face and pretending to be happy when in reality you are hurting. It’s not about pretending you don’t suffer, struggle with doubts or fail to see how God can bring anything good out of the situation. It’s a matter of choosing to find that joy in the midst of the heartache. It’s a matter of submitting to God’s plan instead of our own and realizing that His ways are not our ways…but His ways, in the end, are always good because He is good.
It’s about seeking to see the “gold nuggets” of a lesson hidden within a trial and rejoicing in the growth that came from it.
We all want to be Ruths, Abrahams, and Moses…but many times we fail to see how God used trials in their lives to mature them in their faith and develop the perseverance that was needed for the amazing plans God had for their lives.
Sweet friend, He uses trials in our lives to do the same.
So this year as you face new trials, consider this:
1. Your attitude affects your outcome.
2. Choose gratitude for the trial because of what the trial can produce in you.
3. Look for ways to turn your hardship into learning.
4. Turn sleepless nights and restless mornings into opportunities for prayer.
5. Choose to see the trial as an opportunity for growth.
And remember, in the midst of the trials and storms in our lives, God promises to never leave us or forsake us. You are not and never will be left to go through them alone. You are loved by the One who willingly hung on the cross for you so you can spend eternity with Him.
This year and every year after, may our New Years Resolution be to know Jesus at a deeper level.
Let’s Talk: What are some of your New Year Resolutions?
Love God Greatly!
Week 1 Challenge: This week write in your James journal or on another piece of paper your game plan for how you are going to handle trails in your life. Instead of being reactive, let’s begin the year being proactive and ready with a thought out action plan to combat any trials we will face.
Week 1 Reading Plan
Week 1 Memory Verse
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Looking for our corresponding women’s and children’s journals? You can find them here on Amazon!
Women’s Journal: http://amzn.to/2BiviJS
Children’s Journal: http://amzn.to/2Dr14pr
I am so thankful for the James study. I am so used to falling apart during certain trails in my life and last year my trial lasted a whole year. From The second week in January 2017 until December 2017 when I realized I needed to be done with the trial going into the new year. I believe I missed out or delayed God’s promise to me because of it. God told me in May 2017 to be still and I did not listen. I know that the trial changed my life even though it lasted longer than it needed to last. God is doing a new that within me and it is springing up from the earth.
Thank you for allowing God to use you all to start this study, It is apart of my resolution for change.
So thankful that you are joining us for the James study, Yolanda. May God continue to guide you and bless you. You will be in my prayers, Sister!
Sweet sister, I had an accident at home August 5, 2016 and before I hit the ground good God said be still! (With a shattered leg, broken ankle and much damage to my other ankle, I had no way to stand physically. But I was still, both physically and spiritually and a somewhat shattered life, restored through it all.) I’m so thankful that I was obedient. Because there were times in my past where I didn’t. It was a long year of recovery but one of the best years of my life! I was non-weight baring for 5 months and it was 8 months before walking. That is one trial I can honestly say I counted for joy! All the pain and rehabilitation was worth it all, one because it brought my brother back into my life. But mainly so much of spiritually growth that I experienced! And it led me to LGG! Hang in there! Just listen for His voice. Prayers
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful testimony, Sherry! We definitely do have an amazing God! Blessings to you, Sister.
I have a history of letting trials take me right out! I have had several bouts of acute anxiety that have crippled me and all brought on by trials. I know now that this is how I am; it’s how I react but I want to believe God and trust Him in the future. I know the solution is to trust God in all things. And rest in His sovereignty. I know going through his study will help me.
Yes, honey. He will help you through all. Just trust him daily. We are praying for you. God bless you honey.
God bless you Dori! Yes, we are praying for you. So glad you are joining us for this study.
Dori your words hit home with me because they are so similar to how I feel. God is so amazing to lead us to this study. May He bless you as you work your way through the study and bring you His peace.
The past 3 years have been full of trials. Three years ago we adopted two teenagers, adding to our family of 3 younger biological children. We did not know the levels of trauma these 2 teens had experienced, nor how much it would affect every member of our family. There were times it seemed so hopeless and dark; I wondered if we had ruined our lives, and I questioned why God would allow this. I couldn’t see any good.
I believe maturity comes through trials. I believe suffering can be a gift, driving us into deeper intimacy with our Father. But I do think this can often only be done in hindsight. In the middle of the trial, it was all I could do to wake up and do another day. I was clinging to God for every bit of strength.
He was faithful. He carried me.
Even though things are still hard now, I can look back and see that we made it. We learned a lot, and the gift is that we became more compassionate, more confident, and more dependent on our Great God.
Oh dear Katie, this is a testimony. Such great testimony. Dear Lord your daughter and her family are grateful for how much and far you have led them. Thank you Lord. Please continue to help them and may your light shine on this family. Amen.
Oh Katie! What a beautiful story you have. I am praying that God will continue to guide you and grow these teens into adults who love Jesus, and have a wonderful testimony because you cared, and you loved them through their hard times. Praying for you, Sister. God bless you and your family!
Katie, the second paragraph you wrote is so impactful for me. I think it’s so true that many times we see what God is doing after the trial. I want to be successful in handling everything right during the trial but like you said, sometimes we have all we can do to keep our heads above water. Thanks for that truth!!
Beautifully said, Angela!
Hebrews 13:5-“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” I will not, I will not cease to sustain and uphold you. I will not, I will not, I will not let you down. Not sure where I got that quote from, but it is written in the margin of my Bible. I run to it often. Just think what we could do if we would trust and truly believe that.
Darling, I needed to read those words today. Thank you so much for sharing them. Thank you and God bless you. Enjoy the study.
Loved this. Helps you think deeper. Could you explain SOAP?
SOAP is the way they’ve set up the daily devotional study. First is Scripture, you read the section & write it down. Next is Observations where you Note 1 or 2 observations you have from the days passage. Application is 3rd and you jot down how the passage can apply to you. 4th is Pray about it.
Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer
Hello dear. Here is an explanation of what SOAP means. God bless you.
http://lovegodgreatly.com/lgg/how-to-soap/
Is this James study up on you version I can’t find it
Hello dear. So sorry for the delay. Please check again by after 12pm. God bless you.
I REALLY liked these 5 points:
So this year as you face new trials, consider this:
1. Your attitude affects your outcome.
2. Choose gratitude for the trial because of what the trial can produce in you.
3. Look for ways to turn your hardship into learning.
4. Turn sleepless nights and restless mornings into opportunities for prayer.
5. Choose to see the trial as an opportunity for growth.
I am going to copy them down and post them somewhere I can refer to them often.
Lovely points yeah. I had to copy them myself. God bless you dear.
I too appreciated these! Especially the reminder that so much of our reaction is a “choice.” We may not be able to “choose” our feelings, but we can direct our focus. In my experience, it seems that, so often, when we are in the middle of a trial or grief or anger, we go over and over and over all the negative stuff in our heads, and this just feeds that, making us feel worse, not better. We can, instead, CHOOSE to focus on the positive…on God’s presence with us through whatever is going on, on the knowledge that He is growing us, on the assurance that “all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purposes.” We KNOW he has promised us so many things, and we can CHOOSE to remember those things instead of the tough things. These promises should also encourage us to LOOK FOR and EXPECT to see Him at work! This isn’t easy, and it takes practice, just like when we are working at redirecting our toddlers from one “bad” thing to another “good” thing, but we can learn just like they can. I’ve been a Christian for many, many years, and I still appreciate this reminder!
A couple of my resolutions for today.
1- stop scowling and sighing
2- when I start to complain think of a way to be thankful instead. <3
Thank you. I groaned when I saw the memory verse but I found this very refreshing and it changed my perspective for today.
Amy honey, God is helping us all to be able to obey his word. Lovely resolutions dear. God bless you.
As I go through my trials at work with unjust and inconsiderate treatment going on, I decided at the beginning of the new year to just find joy in the journey. After prayer I found that my trials aren’t really about me but more about the wrongdoers themselves. I just need to do what I do and continue to be a blessing by helping them during our work day regardless of the other negative things going on. I know that God has already defeated these things and he will not let me down. The most important thing is to not let these trials occupy my mind and when they do I I begin to feel anger or frustration- I pray…
Finding joy. I love that! Honestly it touches my heart. Prayed too works dear. Thanks for sharing with us. God bless you.
Although I am blessed with a Christian husband, my husband and I are in two different places spiritually. He also carries from past hurt a load that has hurt me and others around us. I have seen the Lord working in his life, but I have moments where I can’t see beyond how I am feeling. Sometimes it feels very hopeless. I definitely want to come up with a plan of how to handle these things because sometimes I feel like it is just a punch in the gut. Lord God please help me to count it joy- You have given me no reason to leave this situation. There is no grave sin or hardship being done against me- But I am disappointed and I want more. May my desire to grow and develop the fruits of the spirit be greater than my desire to have the things that I think I want and need.
I am so glad you are here for this study, Liz. I am praying for you and your husband. May God bless your marriage, as you continue to honor Him.
This really ministered to me,
We all want to be Ruths, Abrahams, and Moses…but many times we fail to see how God used trials in their lives to mature them in their faith and develop the perseverance that was needed for the amazing plans God had for their lives.
Last year was a difficult year but thank be to God I came through it and didn’t give up. With out God in my life I would of fallen to pieces emotionally, physically and spiritually. This year it’s forgetting what’s behind me and pressing on to what God has for me and laying aside every past failure. God has been so gracious and merciful to me. Thank you for those five key points. Through my trails I choose to mature in my walk with my heavenly Father.
This scripture came to me:
Hebrews 12:1-2 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Amen, Marizzs! Thank you for sharing! I love that Scripture in Hebrews as well! Praying for you, Sister! May God Bless you!
Thank you so much!
Yep, going though a trail right now. This helps sooo much! I’m choosing gratitude for my attitude and it encourages me that I will be molded and shaped to grow from this. Hold on all believers going through trials! He is near, He will heal, guide and direct us. When we know we are growing towards Him through trials, we can be encouraged that the peace will come!
So glad you are joining us Monica! I will be praying for you as you go through this trial. You are so right, He is near, and He will guide us through even the most difficult times. Blessings to you, Sister.
I am currently going through a trial right now and I can’t for the life of me know how I am going to see the good in it. My 3 year old son was just diagnosed with Chiari Malformation and we are in the beginning stages of this journey. I’m hoping this study will help me find my way. I feel I was led here for the purpose of finding my way through this trial.
Oh Michelle. I will be praying for you and your son. Cling to the Lord, and He will guide you and show you how to deal with your son’s illness. Praying God’s richest blessings for you and your child.
I normally purchase the study guide books, right now I’m having some financial difficulties. Is this bible study book available for download? Or available to read online?
I write my soap in a spiral from the Dollar General after I read the verses.
“His ways are not our ways.” We need to work at aligning our ways with His ways and not try to make His ways fit into our ways. Shouldn’t we be looking at new beginnings in terms of each new day? I know I sound like I’m being overly picky but, New Year’s Resolutions are not of God; they actually have pagan origins. I think we should look at our lives through the lens of God’s Word and not through the lens of the worldly thought. Each day we should strive to be who God created us to be. Each day we should look for ways to improve. Each day we should ask what we can learn. Each day is a new beginning. According to God’s Word, January 1 is not the beginning of the new year. Growing and maturing through and in spite of our suffering is truly great. It means we refuse to give up. It means we believe that it has a purpose. But let’s not forget that the goal is to align our lives with God’s true Word and not man’s word and the ways of this world.
I came across your bible studies and am really excited to start it. I signed up and wondering if you email us daily or weekly?
Thanks,
Marge
My News Years Resolution was to find balance in my life in all areas, but spiritually and financially are on the top of the list. I’m really thankful I came across your bible study to get started.
Hi! I love these studies! Sadly I haven’t done one in over 2 years, ahh! I’m just wondering about the children’s journal.. I would love for my older children, 7 and 10, to do child the study with me. Would their ages be appropriate for me to purchase the journals? I’m not sure what they exactly are or look like. Thank you!!!
How amazing is Gods timing? He knows how I suffer with the worrys and what ifs that plague my mind. And He leads me here to this study and this time. How wonderful is He! I am so thankful to my Lord God, and thankful for LGG and this study.
I am doing the Brave study, but also wanted to study a book of the Bible. The Lord led me to James💕
Praying & reading in James 1 this morning & then came across your blog. Thanks for sharing! God bless you!