God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. JAMES 1:12 NLT 

When James wrote a letter to Jewish Christians, which we find in the New Testament, it was probably about AD 45. And that means it was about a dozen years beyond the death and resurrection of Jesus. Now today, we have the hindsight to know that we’re still waiting for Jesus’ return, but in the first century, believers wouldn’t have had any idea what the timeline would be! 

And so James is writing to many who’ve been hanging on to their faith, sometimes in very difficult circumstances, and he’s encouraging them to keep going. 

I’m wanting you to think about setting both short-term and long-term goals for yourself. So let’s consider goals you want to set to stay healthy spiritually. A short-term goal you might set would be to read all one hundred fifty psalms over a ninety-day period.  That’s doable. And it may be that you also set a long-term goal. If you’re someone who’s struggled with alcohol abuse, you might commit to not drinking a single drop of alcohol again. That’s the definition of long-term! And if that’s you, I want you to receive James’ words, and God’s blessing, for those “who patiently endure testing and temptation.” 

Choose some goals that are short-term and others that are long-term. 

Ask God to show you what goals He is calling you to make that are long-term and those which you can achieve in a shorter period of time. Brainstorm many, write them down, and then choose one of each! 

God, I give You thanks that You knit me together in my mother’s womb and You will stay with me until I meet You in glory. Sustain me in these days and in the many that are to come. Amen.