What James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, wrote to Loved One which is worth remembering!
Loved One, be excited when you are having a really tough time. The testing of your confidence in God produces patience. (You know you need it!) Let that patience fully develop, Loved One, so that you may be more mature and complete, lacking nothing.
If you lack wisdom, Loved One, ask God for it. He gives it to everyone generously and without reproach. He will give it to you, through tough life experiences. Loved One, ask in confidence, knowing that He will answer you. Those who doubt have a tougher time. Like waves of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, pushed by their circumstances. People like that doubt they will get anything from the Lord, because they are unsure of both themselves and God.
When you are really suffering in an area of your life, Loved One, realize that God is with you and molding you. When things go your way, be humble because like any flower, you too, Loved One, and your good times will pass away.
When the sun comes up, it can dry and kill the grass and beautiful flowers, which then look much worse. So the greedy can fade the same way. Blessed are you, Loved One when you endure temptation; for when you have been approved, you will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.
When you are tempted, Loved One, don’t blame God. God cannot be tempted, nor does God tempt anyone. You are tempted, Loved One by your own self-centered wants and desires. These desires give birth to sin; and sin brings death.
Don’t be fooled Loved One, every good gift and every perfect gift is from God. It comes from the Father of lights, who is never inconsistent. He brought you forth, Loved One, by the word of truth, that you might be a kind of firstfruit of His creatures. So, Loved One, be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Your anger doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
Lay aside all your self-absorption, self-centeredness, and that overflow of selfishness, Loved One. Receive with meekness and gratitude the implanted word, which is able to save your soul. Be a doer of the word, Loved One, and not one of those who only fool themselves. Anyone who hears God speak to them, and does nothing about it, is like someone who looked at their face in a mirror; and as soon as they walked away they forgot what they look like.
If you think you are religious, Loved One, but don’t control your mouth, you are fooling yourself. Your religion is worthless! Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is helping orphans and widows. Loved One, rise above your circumstances and don’t let them control you.
James 1, NAPSV
