Anchor Devotional

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The Process

“Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials …, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” James 1:2-4

When life is unraveling, God doesn’t expect us to be happy about it. But His Word does point us to the spiritual work He is doing. If God’s will for our lives is that we become more like Christ (see 2 Corinthians 3:18), then we can value the spiritual fruit produced in us through hardship. Our first response in a difficulty might be, “This is awful.” But James invites us to respond next with, “I will count this as joy because of what God is doing through it.”

And what exactly is God doing through it? The testing of our faith is producing perseverance (v. 3). As gold is purified only in the heat of a furnace or as muscles are strengthened only by uncomfortable resistance, the trials will develop a steadfastness in your soul. James urges us to “let perseverance finish its work” (v. 4). Our spiritual maturity cannot be rushed. It requires staying “under” the weight of the ordeal until it achieves God’s intended result.

We’re blessed as we persevere. When we have stood the test, we will receive the crown of life promised to God’s children (see v. 12).

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
James 1:2-12

INSIGHT
“We see only the present moment; God sees everything. We see only part of what He is doing; He sees it all.” (Billy Graham, 2013)

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 7-8
Psalm 46
Luke 9

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