I Need Patience

Do you agree? No, not about me needing patience, but that you can say, “I need patience.”

We all need it, regardless if we are parents, employees, business owners, friends, or children. If you are alive, you need patience.

James encourages us in this matter with three examples. He said,

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful (Jas. 5:7-11).

We can view these three examples as fitting different aspects of our lives.

The farmer represents the challenges we face in day-to-day life. He plants his crops and hopes for a good season. He knows he must wait and depend greatly on the Lord’s blessing for a good crop.

Whether it is work, school, a move across country, the children leaving home, or finding a new job, we need to exercise some patience. There are some things we simply cannot control. We do what we can and trust in God to handle the rest.

The prophets are an example of religious suffering; persecution. They preached to the people and were hated for it. Still, they taught and put their faith in God. When we look back at them and all they endured for the Lord, how they stuck it out until the bitter end, we admire them.

Those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be rejected and attacked (2 Tim. 3:12). Those who faint in the day of adversity are not praised. Rather, it is those who by patient continuance in doing good that are honored and respected. We must put our faith in God as we suffer for His cause; this will give us patience.

Job stands out as one who endured acute hardship in life. He lost possessions, family, and his health. The support of his wife and friends was non-existent. Even so, Job put himself in the hands of God.

We will suffer loss; material goods, loved ones, physical well being, and even moral support. At times like this our patience is severely tested. Yet, like Job, we can pull through. Can you say you have suffered like him? Not me. When Satan attacks, no matter what happens, no matter what we lose, no matter who lets us down, our faith must be anchored in the Almighty. In the end, there is a great blessing awaiting us.