Witness, You Lack Nothing
James 1-5
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I arose to the dew of the morning’s remnants. Moisture fogged the windows and the sky was dim, but sun shone down through the clouds that parted. The grass slightly wilted from transition of night to day.
And as my children and husband still slept, I grabbed my bible, pen, highlighter and sat in the sofa in a quiet home.
Now, I don’t read the bible from beginning to end.
I close my eyes, I hold it to my chest and say softly, “God, speak to me.”
Then I open it and catch where my eye is meant to land.
This time it was exactly what I had been struggling with.
Feeling incomplete.
Here it was. Another sign that God speaks to me when I call to Him.
Now I will share with you what moved in my spirit to write.
It was habits. It was divine guidance.
For if we do not structure our days and build a strong foundation, everything will crumble when the earth shakes and the house will wilt on its hilt when the wind blows.
Here is what I have learned and obtained from reading James one through five.
Habits.
Practices for the everyday human who feels something is missing.
Who feels something in their heart has been unsaid.
James one through five is arranged as such:
1. Trials and Temptations & Listening and Doing
2. Favoritism Forbidden & Faith and Deeds
3. Taming and Tongue & Two Kinds of Wisdom
4. Submit Yourselves to God & Boasting about Tomorrow
5. Warning to Rich Oppressors & Patience and Suffering & The Prayer of Faith
And in reading this, I realized what was there all this time, answers and practices to feel whole and complete.
So I took to the page and have written them to share with you here.
Seven Habits from James 1-5
1. One Sentence Wisdom Ask: James 1:5 –Ask for wisdom
Habit: Each morning, ask one simple question: “God, what do I need to know for today?”
Write the answer as one sentence in your journal.
This keeps you guided instead of guessing throughout the day.
2. Name the Trial then Name the Strength: James 1:2-4 –Trials Produce Endurance
Habit: When something feels hard, pause and say: “This is strengthening my___.”
(fill in: Patience, resilience, trust, identity, discipline. Whatever you believe is being tested.)
This reframes pressure into purpose.
3. One small Act of Faith: James 2 –Faith without works is dead
Habit: Do one tiny action each day that aligns with who you’re becoming:
(prayer, reading the bible, speaking up, being brave, being yourself)
This keeps your faith embodied, not theoretical.
4. Speak Life Over Yourself: James 3 –The tongue directs your life
Habit: Choose one phrase to speak over yourself daily:
“I am growing into the woman I prayed for.” Or “My words build the world I’m stepping into.”
This rewires your inner narration.
5. Desire Check-In: James 4 –Conflict comes from desires within.
Habit: Ask yourself in a moment of distress or desperation:
“What do I really want right now?”
This helps you catch misalignment early and stay honest with yourself.
6. Practice Patience Presence: James 5 –Be patient like a farmer waiting for rain
Habit: Choose one moment each day to slow down intentionally:
(A slow walk, a quiet cup of tea, a 2-minute breath reset)
This trains your nervous system for the long game.
7. Pray Out Loud for 30 Seconds: James 5 –Prayer is Powerful and effective
Habit: Speak one short prayer out loud daily. Do not fear your voice. Let Him hear you.
Not long. Not perfect. Just honest. Let your ears hear your voice.
This keeps your spirit open and your heart soft as well as builds trust in the sound of you.
seven habits of James 1-5
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
Remember, you are being strengthened, aligned, purified, and prepared for the life you’re already stepping into.
You already know what’s true, in your heart, now live like it is.
Speak the words of truth.
This life is meant for more than cowering in the shadows and rattling with anxiety.
Your desires are shifting, and that shift creates fiction, which is what you’re feeling now.
But that’s okay.
It is only getting you ready.
The life you’ve always wanted is there just beyond the horizon.
You’re not late. You’re not behind. You’re in the process.
This is the long game.
Be patient and be kind with yourself.
Your quiet conversations with God are not wasted.
Your whispered hopes and dreams are not ignored.
Your desires are not too much.
You are not too much.
Oh how lovely to have a God who sees you for who you are and smiles upon you knowing you are more than enough.
