Subtitle: How Believers Can Lose Focus and Be Restored.

Excerpt: How Believers Can Lose Focus and Be Restored.

Author: Randy DeVaul

Life has a way of throwing unexpected storms our way. For some, it’s a devastating health diagnosis. For others, it’s the crushing weight of family conflict, financial hardship, or lingering grief. In the closing verses of his letter, James calls believers to persevere through suffering, pray with persistence, and care for one another in times of spiritual weariness (James 5:10–20).

Embedded in this passage is also a gentle but urgent warning: when trials press in, believers can easily become double-minded — wavering between faith and fear, trust and doubt — when they take their eyes off God and focus solely on their circumstances.

The Weight of Suffering and the Temptation to Waver

James points his readers to the prophets “who spoke in the name of the Lord” as examples of patient endurance (James 5:10). These were men and women who endured persecution, rejection, and hardship for the sake of truth, like the Jewish believers who were the recipients of James’ letter. He then reminds us of Job, who, through his steadfastness in the faith, passed the test of approval (James 1:12), and ended up double-blessed by God (Job 42:10–17; James 5:11).

Enduring trials is not easy. The apostle Paul echoes this truth when he shares with the Romans that he can rejoice in his sufferings, knowing that experiencing trials and sufferings produces perseverance, character, and hope (confidence) in the Lord (Romans 5:3–4; James 1:3).

Similarly, Paul encourages the Corinthian believers (2 Corinthians 4:16–18) to not lose heart, for our trials prepare us for our eternal rewards.

Yet, James knew that not everyone who suffers responds with unwavering faith. Trials can shake us to the core, tempting us to question God’s goodness, doubt His promises, and lean on our own understanding. This spiritual struggle is what James referred to earlier in his letter as being “double-minded” — unstable, torn between trusting God and being consumed by earthly fears (James 1:6–8).

A vivid illustration of this is found in the life of Peter. As Peter steps out of the boat and onto the stormy sea, he walks on the water toward Jesus until the moment he notices the wind and the waves. Fear overtakes him, and he begins to sink. Jesus lovingly rebukes him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:29–31). That is doublemindedness — when our eyes shift from the Savior to the storm.

The Role of Prayer and the Power of Restoration

James does not leave his readers without a remedy. Instead, he points them back to spiritual disciplines and the community of faith: whether in suffering or cheerfulness, pain or peace, James reminds us to turn to God and call on Him (James 5:13).

This same message is reinforced by Paul (Philippians 4:6–7), teaching us to not worry about our circumstances but to give thanks in prayer as we seek God and to always rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians5:16–18).

James then introduces a profound instruction to his audience that also applies to us today. For those struggling with their faith as they are overwhelmed in their trials, James instructs them to confess their struggles to other believers who can pray for and with them, stating it is the prayers of a righteous person that has great power (James 5:16).

Paul similarly instructs Christians to pray for those caught in a transgression so that the spiritually mature Christian can be used of God to restore the person, with a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1–2).

When a believer becomes double-minded — wrestling with doubt, bitterness, or spiritual apathy — there is healing to be found in honest confession and the prayers of other believers who are strong in faith and not found wavering.

Losing Sight of God in the Storm

It’s easy to become double-minded when life becomes overwhelming. When trials seem unending and suffering wears us down, our eyes naturally can drift to what we can see and feel — our circumstances. We begin to measure God’s love by how comfortable or happy we are. Faith starts to falter when it is no longer fixed on God but on the size of the storm. Yet, the writer of Hebrews reminds us to continue “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

James closes his letter with encouragement, recognizing that those struggling with trials and wandering away from the truth can be restored (James 5:19–20).

The writer of Hebrews echoes this truth by stating that any believer can fall away in unbelief, so we should continue in community, in fellowship, so that we may encourage and exhort one another in the faith daily (Hebrews 3:12–13), and so remain strong in our faith and walk.

Restoration is never meant to be harsh or condemning. Instead, it is the loving work of the faith community. As Solomon wrote, “Two are better than one … if they fall, one will lift up the other” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10). The church is called to be that community of encouragers, prayer partners, and spiritual restorers.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us to stir up each other in love and good works through exercising our God-given spiritual gifts, not neglecting to meet and encourage each other
(Hebrews 10:24–25).

Living It Out

So, how do we apply this to our lives? First, we must recognize the warning signs of double-mindedness in ourselves — when our focus shifts from God to our problems, when prayer fades, and when spiritual discouragement creeps in. In those moments, James invites us to run toward God in prayer and toward each other in honest confession.

Second, we are called to watch for others who are wandering. Is there someone you know who has withdrawn from fellowship, whose faith seems shaken, or who is overwhelmed by life’s trials? Reach out. Pray. Restore.

Trials will come, but James reminds us that steadfastness, prayer, and community will carry us through. When our eyes drift from God, the prayers and loving pursuit of fellow believers draw us back to the truth.