“But let patience have its perfect work,

That you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

[James 1:4]

 

Patience is a highly positive, perfecting attribute that humanity desperately tries to avoid. Patience is most often associated with delay. The Holy Scriptures dispel that myth.

 

Think of it. Patience mirrors the internal work of God’s Ruach ripening our souls. In hindsight, we seldom weigh the value of delay. Moreover, it is in the waiting that we are forced to look within. We see our anxieties. We recognize the impatience in our soul. We contend with our own weaknesses. We are given the choice to become overcomers.

 

Patience is God’s way of showing us His perfect timing.

 

‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience’ [James 1:2-3]. The preceding verses give significant insight regarding how God sees patience. Inspect the last part of this scripture: “the testing of your faith produces patience.” 

 

God is asking us to “produce patience.” That’s a building block, not a burden. In fact, patience is truly a virtue. In patience we demonstrate our belief in God. In patience we display genuine love and acceptance. In patience we worship the One who is crafting us into the image and likeness of His Very Own Son – the Firstfruits of Creation. In patience we are made “complete.”

 

Without trials and delays, our growth is stunted. It’s the well-known cocoon analogy. Without pressure and resistance, we won’t develop the fortitude, muscle, and commitment essential to live healthy, productive lives. Muscle development takes time. Patience tempers and tests our trust in God.

 

Think of it this way: Confining produces refining! It’s in learning how to breakout of restrictive spaces we discover how to overcome our enemies. Here we gain the gifts of persistence and perseverance. By applying this overcoming, victorious attitude, we are “lacking nothing!”

 

Victories require both work and rest. We work to hone our skills and to gain confidence in our God-given abilities. We rest in the finished work of the cross that teaches us to joyfully embrace our walk of faith. Both attributes are essential. Both require patience.

 

PATIENCE

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Persevering All Trials In Exalted Never-ending Christlike Endurance​

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