I woke up this morning in a good mood.  I usually do I’m a pretty positive person. I began to start my morning routine and see what needed to be done around the house before I left for work.  The first thing I attempted I slammed my finger in a door.  I’m sure you all have experienced this before but something as small as a finger can actually really hurt and change the trajectory of your day.  I was frustrated and went back to finish my task when, I kid you not, I did it again!  Now I was really upset it’s not so much the pain as the indignity of doing the same dumb thing twice.  I was planning to start writing the daily devotionals in the book of James today and I actually began to chuckle out loud.  I knew immediately what verses I would be including today.  Let’s look at them together.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Now slamming a door in a finger isn’t quite on the same level as the trials that the early church experienced but what are the things that can derail our day?  What is something that can happen in the midst of a good day and set you on a whole different path?  What are the things that can distract you from spending time with God? Luckily my finger didn’t side track me for long.  Probably had something to do with my chuckle about the James passage.  It is easy sometimes to let “little” things derail us.  Today take James’ encouragement and persevere through those things that threaten to derail us.  Persevere and watch and see the great things that God does in and through your life.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave