welcome and thanks for meditating with abide for access to over 1500 meditation sessions download
the abide app for free in iTunes or the Google Play Store what are you going through today
what is testing you you'll never have a better day than when you learn to stand strong in the
Lord some seasons of life can feel so overwhelming and exhausting camping and in the middle of those
seasons people think they help by saying things like there's a plan or something good will come
from this and that's a nice sentiment but it doesn't really acknowledge the pain that's so
very real the Bible says something better James is not one to leave us with nice platitudes he
is an author that tells the truth and he gives hope that as we push through trials
there is reward on the other side of this life do you want to experience that reward that push
through a trial well join me as we meditate reflect and pray about hope and trials from
James chapter 1 verse 12 but let's start with an opening prayer dear God you are good and you
are true you see me in my trial and though you have the power to stop it you choose to allow
this test sometimes I don't always understand why but use this to refine me make me better
help me to see you and keep my eyes focused on you and heaven and it's in the name of God the
Father Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit that I pray amen so as we begin breathe just breathe
deeply find a position and spot where you can just stop for a moment and be still and breathe
let it out focus your mind on God and ask him to open your heart to what he has to say today
tell god what is wearing you out or hurting you today tell him your doubts your anger and
your tears he's God he can handle it our God is the god of eternity the architect
of heaven this world isn't it ask him now to help you notice one word or phrase or
image from James chapter 1 verse 12 blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial for
when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to
those who love him what did you hear listen again carefully as I read blessed is the man
who remains steadfast under trial for when he has stood the test he will receive the
crown of life which God has promised to those who love him what stood out to you this time
take a moment and let that idea soak up into your heart let your thoughts be your prayer
God doesn't promise an easy life he promises blessings for those
who walk bravely and faithfully through tough things ask God now
to give you strength and endurance to remain steadfast under trial
with your eyes still closed listen again as I read from James chapter 1 verse 12 blessed
happy spiritually prosperous and favored by God is the man who is steadfast under trial
and persevere when tempted for when he has passed the test and been approved he will
receive the victors crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him what
did you hear this time - God reinforced something or reveal something new - you
ask God to help you understand what he is saying to you today through his word
did you notice the phrase spiritually prosperous normally we hear the word blessed in the context
of material things or happy endings but here it talks about blessed in trial so blessing is about
getting something more valuable than comfort how do you think about blessings and trials ask God
now to help you see blessings in the midst of trials instead of the opposite of trial
the crown of life is clarified here as the victors crown of life if this life
is a marathon then trial is a stretch that requires extra endurance and perspective to
see the finish line ask Jesus now to help you fix your eyes on him as you persevere
listen one and final time as I read and you reflect on James chapter 1 verse 12 blessed
is the man who remains steadfast under trial for when he has stood the test he will receive the
crown of life which God has promised to those who love him your pain is real my friend so as
you keep pushing keep working keep going know that you have a father God who cheers you on
and fills you up imagine your race your story what's hard about it what doubts or temptations
are tripping you up what burdens are you trying to carry by yourself tell him about them now
hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 & 2 says therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus the founder and the perfecter
of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is
seated now at the right hand of the throne of God use your imagination here I want you
to feel the weights literally hanging around your neck feel the cold chains the weights
dragging across the floor forcing your body to bend over in pain how do they feel what does
Jesus see in your eyes as you carry them tell him about the weight tell him about the pain
now imagine unlocking them throwing off the weights the things that snare
you how did the chains sound hitting the floor how did the weights sound dropping
to the floor imagine Jesus at the finish line with the keys
to the locks to your chains the keys to heaven imagine that now in prayer
a day will come when you see him face to face he will look you in the eye and say well done as he
puts the crown of life on your head think about what that would mean to you ask him to teach you
how to endure by desiring him above every other comfort the world has to offer and ask him now
join me in a time of closing prayer dear father God you see me here in this broken world you
know my broken heart you are all-knowing so you know the end of the story you are sovereign so
you have written the end of the story help me to be steadfast and strong today dear God let
me view my world through an eternal lens and let me handle today with your grace and your patience
give me endurance as I run this race and let me hope in knowing you are there at the end in Jesus
name Amen so let's end here as we begin breathe breathe deeply start to focus back on the world
around you as you let all the daily tasks come back into your head think one more time about our
verse think one more time about perseverance and that crown of life when things get hard today or
this week how will you fix your eyes on Jesus and endure I hope you consider that today and
I hope you join us tomorrow or anytime really to meditate reflect pray and abide in Christ
we hope you enjoyed this meditation and that you come back for more for access to over 1,500
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