The secret of living…

James 1: 3-4 says, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing”

Today, as I read the above verses, I immediately I heard the words, “The Apostle Paul”. I was taken to the verses in Philippian 4:11-13 which say,

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”

The Apostle Paul said he had learned the secret to being content. Which is what the verse in James 1:4 is trying to teach us, to be complete needing nothing. It does not mean you have no needs, but it means you are content in all circumstances trusting that God is in control and He has you covered.

The key to this contentment is contained in James 1:3 and in Philippians 4:13. James 1:3 speaks about our faith and the testing of our faith. Our faith in God is always being tested as we grow and mature in Christ.

How is our faith tested? When we have to learn to live on almost nothing like Paul. It is also tested when we are on the mountain top and it appears we have everything we need. The key is to keep our faith, not in things but in Jesus Christ who strengthens us (Phil 2:13) and enables us to endure every season of life.

So, today I would like to encourage you to be patient. Be patient in the process when your faith is tested. If we keep walking with Jesus, one day we will tell our children or grandchildren that we have learned the secret of living in every situation. When we keep our focus on Jesus Christ and we endure the testing of our faith, our endurance (patience) will also grow.

This will help us not to react out of our own will in every situation but to have a quiet trust in the Lord that says, “I know He is working on something”. As our endurance grows, we learn to become content in every situation knowing that Jesus is enough for us. No matter the season or the situation, Jesus is enough and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Have a blessed week!