It seems I've lost everything & I'm going nowhere

What do we do when it seems that we have lost everything, chaos is all around us and we are going nowhere? Let's look to James!

James 1:1-13 (New International Version)

James 1

¹James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

⁹The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. ¹⁰But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

¹²Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

¹³When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

At first glance reading this I wonder who the heck was James writing to? Telling people don't worry, don't doubt? What? They must not have had the bills, stress, drama, craziness that I have! At first glance James sounds like that song from the 80's Don't Worry, Be Happy... Well I CANT! Shoot! I need help with my family, relationships, my finances all of the above!

However when I read James a second time, and I reflect on when he was writing and to whom - wow. I admire his courage and faith, I remember James was writing to followers of Christ who feared for there life and were living under persecution. Just to admit that they were followers of Christ could mean murder, not to mention the proclamation of the word. James wrote to people in seclusion, hiding, the marginalized and the least of all persons. If he could tell them and himself to have faith, to persevere, to think positive and even be joyous- then what about me.

I serve that same God, I have faith, God has already brought me through many trials and I have learned from them. So how much more now? I'm reminded of another song then- the song say after you've done all you can, after you've prayed and cried, after youve done all you can you just stand! Yep! I know that God is real, I trust and believe, so I'll just stand and let God work through my prayers and tears. I will watch GHod move in my life and trust that God will change my situation. Yes God is real for God has washed and made me whole and I'll trust God! Thanks James for helping me through the trials as I am surley approaching my TESTIMONY!

Until next time, Love P.J.