Grow 5

James 1:4

When my brother and his wife bought their first house my sister-in-law was discouraged because the place was not what she wanted it to be. There was a great deal of work that would need to be done to get the place where they wanted.

Her father explained that getting the house of your dreams takes time and work. It doesn’t all come at once. Eventually, however, the vision of the perfect place could become a reality if they applied themselves.

James has some advice for those who have faith. What is required for maturity? What will we have when we reach spiritual maturity?

Just as our plans and desires for our home, our job, even our families may not come in an instant, our faith requires some work. We will all face trials and troubles. Many will challenge our beliefs and our ability to stand firm in our faith.

This is to be expected. It is also something that, in some ways, we should welcome. The ability to withstand the challenges of faith and the perseverance to carry through will help us grow stronger. In time we will reach the maturity, the completeness we desire in our faith.

And with that wholeness, that perfection we seek, we will not lack what we need. As we become more complete in our faith, as we grow, the act of being a Christian, of being a true believer will become easier for us. We will have more abilities to fight the fears that inhibit us, the doubts that hinder us.

With a strong faith, a faith that has persevered through the challenges, we will be more ready to accept the responsibilities of being a child of God. With a more complete faith we can more easily resist the temptations of life and our own fears and selfish desires, and live a much more holy existence.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can help you persevere in your faith?