Crossroads Church

SOAP = Scripture Observation Application Prayer

Tina Wallace

S: James 1:1-6 “This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greeting! Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”

O: Notice that it says ‘when troubles come your way’ NOT ‘if troubles come your way’ – they surely will come your way, and it’s better to anticipate them coming than to be taken by surprise.

A: James, the brother of our Lord, Jesus Christ in the face of physical persecution tells us that trouble will certainly come our way, but the best plan is to face it head on, and to see how we can learn and grow through the situation. When we do this, and when we go to God and ask Him for help through these situations, He will not scold us for asking, but give us what we need, and if we are paying attention, we can grow in our faith through these times.

P: Father, help me to remember that I will certainly face troubles, and when they come, help me to lean into You, help me to trust that You have my best interests in mind and that Your plans are good. Father, help me to have open eyes and an open mind to see how I can learn and grow through trials. Amen.

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