1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Following God does not guarantee a life free from opposition. In fact, Scripture makes it clear that faithfulness can attract resistance. Jesus said in John 15:20 that if they persecuted Him, they would also persecute His followers. Persecution is not a sign that you are outside of God’s will. Sometimes it is evidence that you are walking directly in it.

Wilderness seasons are rarely comfortable. They are marked by uncertainty, waiting, and a stripping away of familiar support systems. In the wilderness, you may feel isolated, overlooked, or forgotten. Yet throughout Scripture, the wilderness is not a place of abandonment. It is a place of preparation. Before God promotes, He often develops.

Waiting is one of the most difficult parts of the Christian journey. When prayers go unanswered and doors remain closed, it is easy to assume God has said no. Yet in many cases, a delay is not a denial. It is divine timing at work. What feels like postponement may actually be preparation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. God operates outside of human urgency. He sees the full picture from beginning to end. What we interpret as slowness is often strategic alignment. He knows when circumstances, character, and opportunity must come together.