Patience in Suffering

DAILY READING

James 5:7-11

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Shaped by Environment 

by Judy Webb

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:7-8)

We all experience suffering in our lives. It may look different for each of us, but there is no getting through life without it; it is part of the sinfulness of our world. But we are each transformed (for good or bad), by the troubles we experience. I know this to be fact and you probably do as well.

I have been shaped by my environment. Many of my likes and dislikes are a result of childhood experiences­­. I would not be who I am today had my upbringing been different. God has used it all to mold and shape me into a believer who loves and trusts in Him. I can look back now and see that God was with me even through troubling times, much as He will be in the future.

In the NLT version of scripture, the heading for this section of James is titled patience and endurance. Two words that don’t often flow off the tongue easily. These two words describe how to live a loving and fruitful existence. Patience is always good to have. Not in a tolerant way, but in a way that says, “I love you and I understand.” Patience is a gift of the Spirit and also a gift we give to one another. Children need loving patience to thrive and feel secure. We have a patient God who will give us one chance after another to learn and grow close to Him.

Endurance is a personal trait and one we often must practice when going through trials. Bearing up under pain and hardships is something none of us can escape, for there is much sickness and disease in our world. Most of us know someone who struggled with cancer, or is caught in an addiction. These examples can also overtake health, finances and relationships; leaving painful memories to deal with.

We are called to, “be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:8) We can cling to these words during those difficult and seemingly impossible situations. Just knowing that God is nearby and loving us through these times of trouble has helped me tremendously. It could help you as well.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Pray for God to speak to you through your reading this day. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you embrace patience and endurance as Jesus did.