Content in Hard Times

Have you ever looked at the people around you and wished you had what they have? Maybe you are unhappy with your family. Maybe your friends have let you down again. Maybe you don’t like your church, youth group, or school. Whatever it is, you look at your own life and all you see is struggle and frustration. If you struggle with contentment, you are not alone. Contentment is hard, and we face so many tough times in this world broken by sin. In fact, the book of James in the Bible was written to encourage Christians who were going through some really hard times. James 1:9-10 says something unexpected to these suffering Christians: “Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them.” James fleshes this idea out in the rest of today’s Bible passage. He explains that the hard times we face are opportunities to grow spiritually. Trials encourage us to rely on our Savior, who we all are dependent on—whether we are rich or poor. Verses 11-12 point out riches won’t last. But, if our faith is in Jesus, we have something better than riches: eternal life with Him and His people. And that hope holds true no matter what struggles we endure. So, while we may see the nice things and circumstances of others, instead of becoming jealous, we can find contentment by running to Jesus, our true Hope. • Phil Cox • What things make you feel frustrated or discouraged? • Read Hebrews 4:14-16 and 1 Peter 5:7. Why can you bring these struggles to Jesus? • In Christ, what promises can you cling to—no matter what you’re facing? (For a good start, check out Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:18-39, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Hebrews 13:5, and Revelation 21:1-5). Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

Read Verses:

James 1:1-12