Tree of Life

When it takes longer than we think it should, it rubs us and becomes irritating. We feel it as being held back, dragged out, delayed. It’s rubbing us raw.

Hope is a confident expectation. When it takes longer than we think it should, it rubs us and becomes irritating. We can go through all kinds of responses. Some are healthy, some are not.

We respond in a way that could be healthy, or not.

can go through all kinds of responses. Some are healthy, some are not.

We can grow weak, weary, tired, frustrated, angry, ashamed, afraid we are being abandoned, have the “fear of missing out,” Think we’ve done something wrong that disqualified us. Lose our expectation.

Our heart becomes weak, diseased, grieved, sorry.

But when the hope is brought into realization, the desire is fulfilled and that becomes a TREE of LIFE, it gives us access to something far bigger and far more significant than we might know on our own.

But when desired, longed for ideal is brought into realization, we enter into it and that dream come true experience becomes a TREE of LIFE, it gives us access to something far bigger and far more significant than we might know on our own.

Strategies for Delays

Hold the position that it’s nothing but Joy and full of benefits.

It’s complete, total, the full extent of, pure and nothing but

James 1:2–4 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Count it, so think, consider, believe, hold a view, have an opinion, lead, rule your own hear when you meet all kinds of trials and tests. You’re not just an overcomer, but you are more than a conqueror, a super-conqueror. All this is adding to your glory and your reward.

Pure (nothing but) Joy (cause for gladness) – There is PURPOSE in everything you experience. You are in HIS Presence. He never leaves you or forsakes you. What if the purpose is that you will overcome the injustice?

There are all kinds of trials. So many ways to develop your full potential.

The Ship sails faster into the headwind. The wings are tested at 5G’s

English Standard Version Chapter 1

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

2 eCount it all joy, my brothers,2 when you meet trials fof various kinds, 3 for you know that gthe testing of your faith hproduces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be iperfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 jIf any of you lacks wisdom, klet him ask God, lwho gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But mlet him ask in faith, nwith no doubting, for the one who doubts is like oa wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 phe is a double-minded man, qunstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and rthe rich in his humiliation, because slike a flower of the grass3 he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and twithers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 uBlessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive vthe crown of life, wwhich God has promised to those who love him.

2. You KNOW that when FAITH is tested, it makes is STRONGER - it produces steadfastness, a kind of grit and endurance. You don’t get easily traumatized. You know that there is GOOD in the midst of all the chaos.

3. The outcome of the troubles – Steadfastness, patience, endurance must have its full effect (perfect work), it must, so that you can attain your full stature.

This renders you complete, whole and lacking nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Seek Wisdom (the practical application of knowledge)

English Standard Version Chapter 1

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Be confident.

He will give it to you generously!

Faith (Trust) is the Key

English Standard Version Chapter 1

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:6 ESV

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Ask IN faith. In a state of TRUST

Confidently beholding His Goodness with the eyes of our heart.

Have a single heart! Don’t second guess yourself.

2. No wavering, hesitating, making a distinction between you and Jesus

You are joint heirs of the Father!

STAND and be Rewarded

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12–13 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

CROWN of LIFE!