Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:2-5
Perseverance means having determination in doing something despite how difficult it can be or how long it takes to achieve success. There are going to be times in sports where you do not see any evidence that your efforts are good enough to become the player you want to be. James is telling us here that we can see these times as pure joy because God uses them to build our faith making us complete and lacking nothing.
Going through the trials will never make you feel joyful, but learning to ask God for the wisdom to understand the importance of the moment will give you the strength and courage to keep going. James reminds us God gives His wisdom generously to those who ask.
The joy comes after you walk through each trial and can see what God has grown in you. With each new obstacle comes the opportunity for us to become more like the person He created us to be. His wisdom leads us to true success!
Is there a time where you felt like you wanted to give up?
Is there a time you wanted to give up, but you pushed through and found success? How did it feel?
Is there an obstacle you are going through now that you could use God’s wisdom to help you understand?
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