Pain management is big business around the world. In America we spend hundreds of billions of dollars each year on pain management. The book of James addresses the issue of pain, but the pain he focuses on is found in the trials and tribulations of life – the stuff that settles deep in the dark corners of the human psyche and, at times, immobilizes us with fear, dread, discomfort, and anxiety.

Right from the start he gives us a perspective of trials that seem counter-intuitive and counter-cultural at the same time. Be happy about it! He goes on to explain that only by seeing our lives with the wisdom of God can we hope to be joyful in our present condition and thereby endure the pain of living in this fallen world.

We must learn to run the race of life fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Who, for the joy set before Him, endured the pain of the world even to the point of dying on the cross. We spend our lives avoiding pain, but our Example – Jesus – joyfully chose pain because He knew the outcome of His pain. May we see with the eyes and wisdom of Christ in every situation that brings the specter of pain into our world. And may we respond joyfully, counting ourselves worthy to suffer pain in His name.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, August 6, 2023. It is part of a series in a Bible study curriculum called Connect 360, published by the GC2 Press of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The overall title of the current set of lessons is The Making of Authentic Faith. You can find printed and digital versions of this series online at: gc2press.org/the-making-of-authentic-faith-james-study-guide/ .

Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

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