Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work

“My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete, and will have everything you need.” --James 1:2-4

I am learning the meaning of patience. This is certainly not my first experience with growing patience. In reviewing my life, I can name many times when patience grew and I learned to live expectantly—yet patiently—awaiting God’s perfect timing for a life lesson, an event, or through specific trials.

Day by day, in the hours of saying “goodbye” to my beloved, and in the night watches when sleep temporarily evades me, I am cultivating patience, the qualities of perseverance, endurance, steadfastness, diligence. I find it interesting that James, writing about 50 A. D. when the church was new, encouraged Christians to pursue patience. The Psalmist (37:7a) implored us to “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” John, in writing the Revelation, commended the saints at Ephesus for their patience. James, with what I like to call his practical advice to Christians, urged us to be full of joy, a prerequisite of patience. This joyful attitude was one of Paul’s favorite themes as well. When our faith is tested, then patience is a result if we “wait on the Lord”—do not capitulate to despair and self-pity.

“Let patience have her perfect work,” James advises in 1:4. Someone wrote: “Hardship is the birthing room of patience.” And there, walking through whatever hardship or trial comes, is the One who is Perfect Patience Personified, the Lord, who was tempted in all points like as we are, yet was without sin. His patience is infinite, boundless, and available.

Lord, continue to teach me the way of Patience. With Richard Monckton I would sincerely pray this prayer for myself and for the building up of my patience:

“They who have steeped their souls in prayer
Can every anguish calmly bear.” -Amen.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, January 20, 2010