Godly Wisdom How To Deal With The Struggle

Godly WisdomHow To Deal With The StruggleMY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS, JAMES 1:2 (NKJV)

Godly WisdomHow To Deal With The Struggle

Dr. Stanley’s definition of “godly wisdom” is this: the capacity to see things the way the Lord GOD sees them and to respond according to his principles; seeing the difficult circumstances from His perspective encompassed by the boundaries of His character and attributes.


Notice the action verbs that reveal our interaction with GOD to receive such an important character trait: “the capacity to see from His perspective” and “to respond to His principles”. God isn’t expecting us to grow just from knowing, we need to respond obediently to His perspective, too.


What are some characteristics or attributes that we have learned about Godly Wisdom.


Faith and Wisdom-God doesn’t see things they way we do.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. James 1:2-3


The book of James opens with a crucial topic that we have to deal with in our lives. Trials of life.

We as Christians experience various trails that are external out of our control whether they come from the world, Satan or God.


These “negative” experiences are to be accepted with great “joy” not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can do through the testing.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (temptations), 3 knowing that the testing (trying) of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3 (NKJV)


The trial (temptation) & the testing (trying) of your faith do not mean the same thing.

Trials you go through don’t automatically make your mature or grow in God.

Testing (trying or proving) of your faith can make you bitter and not better with no spiritual growth).

It is not the trial that makes you grow but overcoming your test that brings about spiritual growth.

Godly WisdomHow To Deal With The Struggle3 For you know that when your

faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:3 (NLT)

When someone is broken of their self-will, God can easily use them for His glory.

When trials and testing comes it is a natural response to fear the adversity and try to escape it. But God through His wisdom uses trouble to mature us.


5 If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.

When you are going through your struggles, pray and ask God for His wisdom on how to deal with the issues you are facing and endure.

He will not get upset with you.His wisdom is more valuable than

the most expensive Gems.


6.But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. James1:6

7-8 If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all. James 1:7-8


It’s easy too doubt when you are going through difficult times.

Being double-minded (unreliable/uncertain) in our ability to trust in God.

God’s wisdom tells us not to waver if you want to get the support and the help that we need from Him.


9 Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad that he thinks so highly of them. 10

But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble. Rich people will disappear like wild flowers 11 scorched by the burning heat of the sun. The flowers lose their blossoms, and their beauty is destroyed. That is how the rich will disappear, as they go about their business. James 1:9-11 (NLT)


When your going through your struggle don’t put your trust in man or your riches, they can quickly fade and “your money can act funny.”

Your wealth may be meaningless in dealing with your present struggle. No amount of money, finances can bring you out. Trust in God.

If you are low in spirit be encouraged and trust in God.


12 Blessed (happy) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 (AMP)


We may look at a trial as a curse, but God uses trials and test to bless us.

Our endurance and victory over our test brings about God’s blessing.

That is why you don’t see in James, scriptures that deal with escape from struggles but God does provide a way of escape if testing becomes unbearable.


And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.


Temptations and trying that we read about in verses 2 & 3 of James chapter 1 is different that the temptations mentioned in verse 13.

Temptations and trying in verses 2-3 talks about external trials unavoidable and outside of our control . We are encouraged to endure.

Temptations talked about in verse 13 talks about the internal struggles that we can control.

Temptations talked about in verse 13 talks about the internal struggles that we should try to control or avoid.


Temptations talked about in James 1:13-we are drawn by our own lust, that can cause us follow our own ways and lead to sin and death.

When drawn by your own ways (lust), try to avoid this type of behavior/temptation at all cost.

There is a way that seems right unto a men but the end thereof are the ways of death.


Just be aware that a trial or test that may have started out as an external problem, can become an internal problem, if not dealt with by asking for God’s wisdom on situations and study of the Word of God.

14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). James 1:14 (AMP)


17. Don’t be fooled, my dear friends. 17

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. James 1:17 (NLT)

God is unchanging, because He’s perfect so He can’t get better or become worse.


This does not mean that God is immobile, and unable to move.

God has quality characteristics and personality that allows Him to act, think, create and make decisions for His people

God is all powerful, all knowing and always present everywhere.

Godly Wisdom is valuable tool in your struggles.


Life circumstances and struggles change. God is faithful He never changes and He has everything under His control.

Leave it to God. He’s got it!


Resources:The King James Study Bible:

Thomas Nelson Inc.: 1988 (center column references and notes)

Documents

Godly Wisdom How To Deal With The Struggle