James 1:4-5
Foolishly, look at my comments yesterday, it would seem only natural that I should have continued a bit further. So, let me just pick up from where I was and hopefully not lose any of the momentum.
James closes his first statement:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I used an illustration of muscles yesterday to look at perseverance. Continuing on from that illustration, if muscles are not left to finish healing, there is quite a possibility that they may damage themselves. Professional athletes are a clear example of this, instead of taking the necessary time to allow themselves to heal, they push themselves too hard and cause serious, even permanent, damage.
