Growing faith during trials

S - James 1: 2-8 (NASB)

2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

O -   I can imagine James in the early days needing to encourage the congregation who faced many great trials, as well as the victories in Christ.    James knew that in order to live the life transformed by Christ, and called to deliver the Gospel to the ends of the earth they would face various trials.   Now the encouragement is that our faith grows through trials, and we are being shaped in the image of Christ.   As our faith grows , we are able to confidently pray to the Lord , in His will, and His spirit, that anything we lack He would provide.  

A -  The application for me is like a lifeline during trials.   There is no doubt that in my life trials have tested my faith, but at the same time in reflection during these trials I felt like I had  barely enough to survive the trial with my faith intact.   That is my personal encouragement that in all my trials God has seen me through and if I just hold on to Him, and trust in Him and His ways, He will pull me through.  I must remember not to be so discouraged during trials that I wouldn't go and pray to the father for the help during these times.

P - Dear heavenly Father, I am facing such a trial today,  one in which I struggle on the circumstances at work, my future in the Navy, and my own though life being heavy.     I pray Lord that you would provide me the strength to go forward, the peace of heart and mind to do so in a way that honors and glorifies you.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.