James reminds us of the tragic strife that often exists among God's people. What is the cause of it all? Why are they so many unhappy homes and so many local churches torn by division? Why are there such bitter feuds among Christian workers in the homeland, and such conflicts among missionaries abroad? The reason is that we are constantly striving to satisfy our lust for pleasures and possessions and our desire to outdo others.

There's the lust to accumulate material possessions. There is the drive for prestige and power... These powerful forces are at work within us. We are never satisfied. We always want more. And yet it seems we are always frustrated in our desire to get what we want. The unfulfilled longings become powerful that we trample on those who seem to obstruct our progress.

Understanding James 4:1-5
William Macdonald

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Like Jonah, when we leave the will of God, others are adversely affected.

Jonah 1:3,9-10 NIV

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)

Learn to say NO.

a. You cannot say YES to everything. Your time and energy are limited. You have to focus and limit yourself to the task God has called you to do.
b. Your ability to say NO gives you the capacity to say YES to life's most important matters.

Take care of your body.

You only get one body. You need to take care of it. Your body needs proper sleep, physical exercise, food, and rest. You are the steward of your body. You need strength and energy to do the tasks you do.

Plan for rest, exercise, and family.

a. The Lord wants you to have a balanced life. He doesn't want you to have a cluttered life that frustrates you and steals your joy.
b. The Lord Jesus sent the twelve disciples out to preach. When they came back, here is what he said: "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." Mk. 6:31.

Matthew 7:12

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. The Narrow Way