So many times we find ourselves worn down amidst what feels like a stagnant stage of life. The monotony of day to day work without seeing any kind of progress can be so disheartening, making our spirit tired, worn down, and sometimes even hopeless.
Luckily for us, our heavenly father has all the right things to say to give us that encouragement and boost we need when we feel stuck in a season. In James 1:12 it says, “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.”
I love this verse for so many reasons, but mostly because of the way it acknowledges how this life’s work (no matter what it looks like for you) can be hard, but more importantly it reminds us the reason for our work and gives us a promise from the Lord to look forward to.
Although the word ‘trial’ conventionally means hardship or struggle, even day in and day out work with seemingly little results really can be a trial sometimes. But regardless of what trial looks like for you, we are called to persevere. Through work with little results or through a difficult season of life, we must keep pressing on.
But with work and trials looming ahead of us, where is the hope? The hope comes from a promise that the Lord gives us in the second half of the verse. The all-powerful creator makes those He loves a promise that we will receive the crown of life- being with the Lord for eternity! What an incredible promise!
Rest assured, we can be confident in hope because we know that the Lord keeps all of His promises. He has shown us time and time again that He will always fulfill the promises he makes to the ones he loves. He sent His son to die for us, a promise He made and fulfilled to show us His abundant love.
So, whatever your trial may look like in whatever season of life you are in, one thing we can hope for when we feel discouraged, is the promise of an eternal home with the Lord. He alone will always fulfill His promises to us, and this promise gives us hope amidst trials.
