James 1:2-3 (NIV)
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
There are times when we must keep going when we just feel like we can’t. Have you ever said, ” I just don’t know how much more of this I can take.” or ” I don’t know how much longer, I can keep doing this.” Sometimes when we make those statements it may be in reference to a job or a business, or in our marriage, or perhaps even concerning something at church. It may be said during times of trouble or sickness……….but regardless of our situation, we most all certainly feel like there are times when we just can’t go on.
I think sometimes we are misled into believing that the people of the Bible were superhuman in some way. Yet, a closer look at the word of God will reveal to you that they were human……….and that they experienced much of the same things in life as we do.
James 5:17 says
King James Version (KJV)
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
I want us to look at some things that will help us when we get to those points in our lives. When we feel that we can’t keep going when we can keep going on
Point 1. The Adversity & Attitude
In 2 Corinthians 4:8, Paul says, ”We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Paul experienced troubles, trials, hardship, affliction, and misfortune to the point where it all was closing in on him. Yet, Paul said though I am crowded, I am not crushed! Also in the b.part of this scripture, He was perplexed but not despairing. Despair -To lose all hope: despaired of reaching shore safely. To be overcome by a sense of futility or defeat.
Now, this statement is definitely a play of words. Literally, Paul is saying…”There are times when I feel “at a loss” but not “totally at a loss”. The word “forsaken” means “to be deserted or left behind” Everywhere that Paul went…it seemed that trouble followed him. V.9 Paul was saying “knocked down, but not knocked out.” He had been cast down, knocked off his feet, but he had not been destroyed as a result. The question we all want to have answered this morning is how did Paul maintain this kind of attitude in spite of his adversity.
Point 2. An awareness that God was with him
In 2 Corinthians 11:22-28, Paul described some of the persecutions, hardships, and pressures he endured—imprisonments, beatings, shipwreck, various dangers, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, and exposure to the elements—yet through them all, he knew the Lord was with him. Too often people quit right before the Lord opens an opportunity, gives a victory, or changes a situation.
Point 3. The experience of the Lord’s strength within him
The experience of the Lord’s strength within him because Paul depended on the power of almighty God, he could say, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” Phil. 4:13. This means we each have within us the strength to do the will of God. The only way we’ll have the courage
to be strong and carry on is to be in the Word of God. 3:16), put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:11), and believe that God causes all things to work together for our good Romans 8:28
Point 4. Perseverance
Perseverance keeps you going when friends fail you, discouragement whispers, ‘Give up,’ and doubt says, ‘It can’t be done.’ It’s your anchor in life’s storms, your compass when you’re lost, and the head of steam that gets you up the next hill. James says, ‘The testing of your faith produces perseverance.’ James 1:3.
Perseverance, which means to ‘keep on keeping on’, develops your faith. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV). 3) ‘People are watching us as we stay at our post…working hard, working late, working without eating; when we’re telling the truth…when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; ignored by the world, but recognized by God;…immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy;…having nothing, having it all (2 Corinthians 6:1-10 MSG).
What is a recent hardship that you or a loved one has endured? How has the Lord given you an awareness of His presence that helped you undergo a particularly difficult situation? What have you learned about persevering in the Christian life that can be shared with others?
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on.” – Dale Carnegie
So persevere; everything you’re going through right now will be more than worth it in the end.