Perseverance Produces Patience

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Perseverance is not the easiest quality to have as a human being. But the Bible has a lot to say about perseverance and encourages us that a lot of good can come when we persevere. With that in mind, we must understand that there is always a reason for our waiting and our need for perseverance.

The reason why God allows us to face difficult people and demanding problems is so that He can grow our faith and develop our maturity. James tells us in his book, “...the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3-4). In other words, patience is a faith-building exercise.

When we get impatient and frustrated with God, we are basically saying, “Lord, I want you on my timetable, and I want you to do things according to my clock and my calendar.” But think about how patient He has been with you. If God had lost His patience with us as sinners, we would all be doomed. Thankfully, the Lord shows us patience and grace every single day, because every day we are given on this earth is a chance for us to grow in our trust and love for our Heavenly Father. So if God can be that patient with us, how much more should we be patient with the tough problems and difficult people that come our way.

Dear Lord, thank you that there is a reason and a purpose behind the trials and difficulties I face. I pray that you would grow my faith and trust in you when I face hardship, and that you would help me to persevere so that I can become more like you. Amen.