Surviving Life’s Storms - James 1

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Beginning an Active Faith That Lives Out Loud

This morning, we begin a new message series called “Active Faith Unleashed.” Faith is not just something you think about. True faith is something active, something that you do, that you put into practice. In this series from the book of James, you’re going to discover how to unleash an active faith in your life.

Today, our first message in this series is entitled “Surviving Life’s Storms.” In 2012, a South African man named Brett Archibald went on a surfing trip in Indonesia. On the second night of the journey, he woke up feeling ill, and in a moment of disorientation, he fell overboard in the sea.

His sleeping friends in the boat were unaware of his absence as the boat sailed away, and Brett was left alone, floating in the middle of the ocean. For the next 28 hours, Brett battled the elements, dehydration, hypothermia, jellyfish stings and circling sharks. There were moments of absolute despair, yet he never lost his will to survive.

He found strength in singing songs, praying and recalling memories of his family. He swam, treaded water and floated on his back for over a day. Finally, in a miraculous turn of events, Brett was found by a rescue team, 12 miles from the location where he was reported missing.

His rescue was nothing short of a miracle and made headlines around the world. Like Brett Archibald, we often find ourselves adrift in the sea of life’s trials and storms. Yet, it is through these trials that we are tested and refined.

Romans 5:3 (ESV) Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

When you’re in a storm or suffering, you should rejoice. That’s not our natural reaction, is it? We’re going to learn how to do that today. God’s Word challenges how we normally respond to hardship.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Even though you may not know how to survive the storm, as Brett did not know how to find help, God does. As we trust in God, not our own understanding, He is there to help you. He sees the way through when we cannot.

Matthew 23:12 (ESV) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Storms and trials have a way of humbling us, of removing our pride. That’s not a bad thing, is it? When we understand what God is doing in the midst of the storm, we are on the way to being rescued.

Today, we’re going to delve into the book of James verse by verse to better understand how to survive life’s storms. We will see that God has a purpose even in the pain. His plan is always for our growth and good.

Rejoice in the Storm

James 1:1 (ESV) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

The book of James was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus. James was not one of the twelve apostles, but rose to a high position of authority in the early church. James was written to all believers, both Jews and Gentiles, sometime after persecution began in Jerusalem.

So the recipients of James’ letter were believers oftentimes facing persecution. They understood what it meant to endure hardship for their faith. James speaks directly into lives marked by pressure and pain.

James 1:2–3 (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.

James begins his letter by telling us to count it joy or rejoice when we go through trials. We are not to rejoice and grit our teeth as we go through the trial. The amazing part of these verses is that we are to rejoice because of the trial.

We are not to rejoice in the trial, but we rejoice in what the trial accomplishes in our lives. Trials come in many different ways, but each trial comes into our lives only as permitted by God. A trial here is something external to us that tests our faith.

God allows trials to come into our lives to test our faith. The result of going through this testing is steadfastness, which means endurance or patience. God is strengthening something deep within us.

James 1:4 (ESV) And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

What James is talking about here is spiritual growth which leads to spiritual maturity. These trials or storms that God allows are intended to help us grow stronger. The stronger we grow spiritually, the better equipped we will be to face future trials.

Remember each trial is a test. You pass the test by following God’s instructions here as you grow stronger. You can fail the test by not following God’s instructions and actually grow weaker.

As we learn to rejoice in the storm, we will pass the test. God is forming endurance in us that cannot be formed any other way. This is how faith becomes active and real.

Seeing Trials as Opportunities for Growth

In our lives we all face storms of various kinds. It might be a personal loss, a health crisis, job insecurity or relational struggles. The challenge for us is not in trying to avoid all trials, that’s never going to happen.

The challenge from God’s Word is how we react to the trial. Do we view the trial as an obstacle to get over? Or do we see the trials in our lives as opportunities for spiritual growth.

Each trial is an opportunity to rejoice because it will develop our faith and trust in God. Remember, a gem cannot be polished without friction, not a person perfected without trials. God uses pressure to produce beauty.

This week, when faced with a difficulty, pause and consider. How might this trial be an opportunity for growing closer to God, and how can I rejoice? And God will help you rejoice in the storm.

Pray for Wisdom in the Storm

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.

When any of us faces a trial or storm, we are to seek wisdom from the most powerful source of wisdom, God. When we ask God for wisdom in a trial, God will give us that wisdom generously. God is not going to criticize you for asking Him.

He’s not too busy to answer you, and He will give the needed wisdom, as much as you need. Do you need wisdom in any trial? I sure do.

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.

Not just any prayer for wisdom will do, there is a requirement for our prayer. We must ask God for wisdom without doubting, with faith. To ask in faith means that we believe God’s promise in verse five.

When we ask in faith for wisdom, we must believe that God will generously give us that wisdom. Doubting looks like wondering whether God will respond or not. James says that kind of prayer leaves a person unstable.

James 1:7–8 (ESV) For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The person who doubts in his prayer for wisdom won’t receive any wisdom from God. He’s unstable and double-minded because he doesn’t believe God’s clear promise. Without wisdom, the trial weakens rather than strengthens.

That’s why we must pray for wisdom in the storm with faith. God desires to guide us, but we must trust Him fully. Faith opens the door for wisdom to flow.

Seeking God First in Times of Uncertainty

In times of uncertainty and doubt, we often seek wisdom from multiple sources such as friends, family, books or the internet. While these may be helpful, the most powerful and reliable source of all is God. He sees the full picture when we do not.

Make a conscious effort this week to seek God for wisdom through prayer when faced with a decision, uncertainty or trial. Seek God first, not last, when encountering a storm. Start your day with prayer, asking God for wisdom in the trials you know you’re going to face.

Remember, the key here is to ask in faith without doubting. Trust that God hears you and will give you all the wisdom you need. Pray for wisdom in the storm.

Cherish Humility in the Storm

James 1:9 (ESV) Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

The lowly brother here is a poor believer who faces a trial in life. What is he supposed to boast about or rejoice in? His exaltation speaks of the spiritual growth that this trial is accomplishing in his life.

Through this trial, God is going to lift the lowly brother up, closer to Him. God uses hardship to deepen dependence. Spiritual riches outweigh material lack.

James 1:10–11 (ESV) and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Next James talks about the rich brother, who likewise faces a trial in life. Trials are meant to humble us, as we can’t get through them on our own wisdom. Although the rich may seem to have no worries, when trials come, they are humbled as well.

The wildflower represents the life of the rich person. All looks beautiful for a moment in time, yet when trials come, the flower fades. Trials strip away false security and reveal what truly matters.

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.

Our passage today ends with a promise for everyone, whether rich or poor. Everyone who remains steadfast under trial is blessed. To remain steadfast under trial is to rejoice in the trial.

To remain steadfast under trial is to pray for wisdom in the trial with faith. To remain steadfast under trial is to embrace humility. The blessing is that after passing the tests of life, he will receive the crown of life.

The word translated crown here referred to a laurel wreath that was given as a crown for those winning a race. The crown of life refers to the fullness of eternal life with Jesus. The crown of life is promised to all who love God.

But you see, to love God means that you will remain steadfast under trial. You will stand the test of life and keep the faith. Cherish the humility that comes in the storm.

Embracing Humility That Leads to Eternal Reward

Our world often equates worth with wealth and status. James encourages us to cherish humility, not pride. This perspective reorients our hearts toward what truly lasts.

This week, reflect on how you view your worth. Is it tied to your possessions, your job or what others think of you? Remember that true worth only comes from God who values humility and perseverance.

Find ways to practice humility in your daily life. When you face a trial, whether big or small, humble yourself in the face of it. Admit that you need God to help you through the storm.

Believe that as you turn to Him, He will guide you through. And one day, you will receive the crown of life. Cherish humility in the storm.

Conclusion: Living with Active Faith Through Every Storm

Let us remember that trials and storms in our lives are opportunities for spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is growing closer to God. So you can and should rejoice at every trial you face, whether small or big.

You can rejoice because you are going to grow spiritually stronger through the storm. But rejoicing is not enough. Pray for God’s wisdom in the storm, wisdom to make the right decisions.

As you pray, believe that God will give you the wisdom that you need. Finally, allow and cherish the humility that God brings in the storm. A humility that you are not the captain of your life, but Jesus is.

As you and I learn to face our storms in life with these three steps, we can look forward one day to receiving the crown of life. We love Jesus, we remain steadfast in trials and we will receive our crown.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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