#288 2025 LA Legislative Preview Part 1

James 1:2-4

”My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.“

One of the pastors who has influenced my life the most in the last 15 years is Bill Johnson from Redding, CA. And he has a quote that has been an anchor for me. He says that any thought that does not inspire hope is under the influence of a lie. For me, that statement has been both encouraging and challenging. But when we are facing all kinds of difficulties, it’s extremely important to discipline our minds and keep a short leash on negative self-talk and negative thinking. In those times when the strain, fear and doubt seem intractable, it’s important to ask the Lord what lie we are believing that is not allowing us to move forward in faith and joy. And then ask Him for the truth so we can replace the lie with what the Lord says. Bill also teaches another important concept which is when we are under some kind of stress, difficulty or spiritual attack we are to operate or respond in the opposite spirit to what we are facing, because it causes the escalation of negativity to dissipate. We know this is true in relational conflict. And Proverbs 15:1 confirms this by saying that a soft word turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. This is what James is teaching in this passage. He’s encouraging us to discipline our minds and our responses when we face all kinds of difficulties, so that we are strengthened in our faith and build the endurance we need to become more and more like our Savior, Jesus.