Standing Strong

James 1:12 ESV

“Blessed is the man (or woman) who remains steadfast under trial, for when he (or she) has stood the test, he (or she) will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

To try to convey the message of James’s intent:

Blessed (honored or highly favored) is the man (or woman, or all of us) who remains (not changing from his or her spiritual state in Jesus) steadfast (constant, loyal, faithful) under trial (things, events, troubles that try to separate us from God), for when he (we) has stood the test (the shaking of our faith) he (we) will receive (a gift from God that is well deserved because we would not let things separate us from the perfect will of God) the crown of life (something much more worthy than a trophy or a wreath or garland or ribbon, this gift is favor with God and eternal life with Him forever), which God has promised (a surety, a deposit of His Holy Spirit, a guarantee) to those (us, the ones who have been proven faithful to Him) who love Him (because He first loved us. We have heard, seen, and obeyed no matter the cost and our actions prove our love for Him).

Prayer:

Lord, I owe You my heart, my mind, my spirit, and my body. I only made it through trials, troubles, and temptations because of Your help and Your strength, Your grace, mercy, and love. Thank You, Lord Jesus, Amen!