There is no worship on Sunday May 17th, but we continue here in the Bible’s Book of James. James speaks to people who want to follow the risen Jesus even as they faced pressure and plenty of distractions around them.

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James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” and that talks directly to the way many of us live. We try to control outcomes, manage every detail, and hold everything together. Think about the parent who keeps the family schedule running while feeling overwhelmed, or the employee who works  late every night because they fear falling behind, or the student who feels crushed by parent expectations. That pressure builds up until something inside starts to fray.

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Humility is the shift from gripping life with tight fists to opening our hands and admitting we cannot control everything. That is where God’s grace meets us.

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James 4:8 continues with “Come near to God and God will come near to you”. That is a simple movement of the heart. It can look like the moment someone sits in their parked car after a long day and whispers a quiet prayer for strength. It can look like a person who has been carrying anger deciding to release it instead of letting it shape them. Or, it can look like someone who has been avoiding God for a long time finally letting God in again.

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These small movements matter. As we turn toward God with honesty and put aside our pride, we discover that God is already turning toward us with patience and care. That is where real peace begins, the kind that steadies you from the inside out and gives you strength for whatever comes next.