TeaTime Devotional June 6th, 2025

Written By: Melody Jessie

Scripture: James 1:2-4 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, 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.

Testify:

I am now a great-grandmother 2 times over. Recently, my grandson became a father again, and the first child, a toddler, is pushing all the limits, having quite a time with the new addition to the family. Both dad and mom are trying to adjust to the new changes and being in a new environment. This is a stretch for all of us. Outbursts of crying and temper tantrums are very hard to handle every day for Dad, but this stretch is causing him to show more of the fruit of the Spirit. Each of these everyday struggles may be overwhelming or frustrating, but they don’t have to be meaningless. God works in these very challenges, and it’s these stretching moments, the testing of the faith that will produce perseverance.  Through life events, God invites us to live on his ability and not ours, his power causes us to mature and be complete, lacking nothing.

Edify:

The bible says that we should consider it pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds. the Holy Spirit produces perseverance, and with that, we live out the fruit in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Are you being stretched in patience, self-control, or discipline? Your challenge needs more joy when you are inclined to complain. These are not just obstacles to avoid; they are opportunities for God's Spirit to transform and mature us, and in the stretch, the fruit causes us to mature into people who are more like Jesus.

Apply

Be encouraged in the difficult stretch that you find yourself in today. When you follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit's power is yours to assist you in the stretch. When you embrace the stretching God allows. Ask for his power, that’s a prayer he answers. When we say yes, He does the work. Where is God inviting you to a new way of living?