“And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4
“Unexpected Trials”. Just about the time when I’ve got almost all the pieces together to finish a project, or think that the trial I have been under for months is going to be over……well, I find out it’s not quite finished. God is proving us by these trials not to “bum us out” or discourage us, but to strengthen us spiritually. Before I lose most of you out there that might be looking for a ray of light on our troubled lives, hang with me……
A trial sent by God to us, despite popular belief is not a one way street. God doesn’t expect us to just sit and wait it out, until the storm blows over. The fact is that we are being required to give a response that lights a fire in our souls that with great courage we can keep moving forward as best as we can, totally relying upon the Lord knowing that we are being perfected in our hope, and faith, with certainty that we are lacking nothing; because we hold fast to the promise and the truth of God’s word that “He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!” Let the church say amen!
Now about our part in our waiting in patience. The dictionary defines the word Patience as : an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay and without complaint, loss of temper, or irritation.
Wow, what a statement, to be patient with an ability to suppress restlessness when confronted with delay and without complaint, loss if temper, or irritation.
“And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4
It seems that God is in the process of doing great things in the times of our restlessness , when things just aren’t working out the way we planned, they aren’t happening fast enough, The Bible teaches us a great deal about patience. In Luke 8:15 Jesus teaches us to have the right kind of heart that will bring forth fruit with patience. I’m not sure I’ve ever really heard this Scripture in relation to patience, but it all relates to what we are doing while we’re waiting for God to move in our lives. If the Words of God fall on ‘good ground’, that is unto an accepting fertile mind, we “are such who have an honest and good heart, that having heard the word, hold fast, (wait) and bring forth fruit with patience.”
What a wonderful thought that we can have fruit with patience. I am reminded just how long it takes for a fruit tree to bear. From the time of placing the seed of an apple tree in the ground it takes anywhere from 6 to 10 years before it bears its fruit. I think to myself, how long does it take for me when I read and study the Word of God before it produces tangible fruit in the form of saved souls? It seems to me that this has got to be one of the toughest things we are called to do as believers. We share the Words of Eternal Life and truth, and expect immediate responses, forgetting that like planting any tree, it will take time, energy, and hard work. Most of all it will require us to grow in patience.
James 1:3 says that “knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience”
Patience then is a ‘proving ground’ a testing that God gives us to show us where we’re at, how close we are to having the fruit of patience.
I regularly go shopping at my local market, and am always in the hunt for fresh fruit that is ripe and ready for me to eat now! How dissapointed I become when I can’t have it right now! And yet I see how impatient I become because I’m not willing to be patient and buy the fruit and wait for it to ripen, to enjoy partake of it.
There are many things in my life that drive me crazy because I’m not so patient. But one thing for sure, I’m going to ask God to help me in the testing days of patience that I can bear fruit in my time of waiting and being patient, in God’s time.
Here’s Today’s Video :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4joxx9aRNi4
Walking the Berean Road 