One of those words which are shared by loved ones in the midst of the trials of life sound a little hollow when they are first heard—“Hang-in-there!” It is usually just at that time that one desires not to hang-in-there at all! The cry then is often a plea for being rescued like—“God! Get me off of this merry-go-round!”

However strong the desire is to flee, the rewards for hanging-in are monumental. We read these truths in James 1.12-15: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. The blessings available to those who are able to stand firm in the faith are monumental!

We are not free to blame God for what we feel as a temptation pressure on us—no, the root cause of that temptation is self-directed. James continues: When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. The only one pulling this trigger is me!

We must get real here. It is our own sinfulness run amok that drags us into completed temptation. James concludes: Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. We will survive all of this if we place our lives in the hands of God, knowing that we are among the most richly blessed. Then we can hang-in-there, and live forever!