Learn Patience Through Trials
Are you struggling with something and waiting to hear from God? Do you feel as if He is ignoring you? The Book if James talks about being steadfast and having patience. God wants us to learn patience through trials. Have faith that He will guide you.
This morning, I was reading a devotional. It started with quoting James 1:4.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:4 (ESV)
The devotional went on to talk about patience, but I wasn’t understanding the verse. I read the devotional and the prayer, but something was lingering. I looked up more of the passage.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-6
I Finally Got It
Then, I got it! I’ve been praying for something for weeks and I haven’t heard anything from God about it. Last night, it bothered me so much that my faith that God was even listening to me was wavering. That I would think that way startled me. God has been faithful all of my life, even when I wasn’t following Christ. I tossed and turned in bed until well after midnight. I decided to listen to the Book of John while I lay in bed. My mind calmed down and I could finally fall asleep.
This morning, I made an earnest prayer, seeking forgiveness for my thoughts and making my plea once again. Then, I opened that book and read that devotional and knew God had to be speaking to me.
After digging further, I knew it for sure. I can be a very impatient person at times. In past jobs, I’ve done the jobs other people should have been doing, just so it could get done. I do that with my daughter at times as well. If there is something I want done, sometimes I’ll just do, even if she said she would. I just want it done.
But, one of the gifts of the Spirit is patience. In my earnest requests of God, I was expecting immediate answers. When that I didn’t happen, I did what I always do and tried to look for ways to resolve the issue on my own. But, that wasn’t working either. Instead of telling myself that God is faithful, I told myself that God didn’t care about my problems and that I needed to try harder.
I Need to Learn Patience
No, my friends. I need to learn patience through trials. The devotional I read today came on the perfect day. I’d actually skipped reading the book for a couple of days so the fact that I decided to pick it up today was no coincidence. God is speaking to me!
I had doubt that God would listen to me after I didn’t hear from Him. I doubted He even cared about my request. My thoughts were that there was so much suffering in the world, why would He even care about this? James says that if I doubt, I might as well expect no answer due to my lack of faith.
God will answer me in some form. But, I must learn to practice patience. Not just in this, but in all things.
When you’re asking God for something, have faith. If you’re not hearing Him speak to you, have patience. Pray for His wisdom and guidance throughout your trials.
Prayer for Today
Father, thank you for your perfectly timed word. I pray for the strength to remain patient and faithful as I wait for your answer. Please give us wisdom and understanding.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen