The word patience appears around 70 times in the Bible, specifically in the King James Version. Growing up, and even as an adult, I don’t believe that patience and I were the best of friends. I did everything quickly. Some days, when I notice this pattern, I have to speak out loud to myself, saying, “Ky, slow down.” I then laugh at myself and wonder where this titanium speed actually came from and why there’s always a sense of urgency.
Well, as I look inward and reflect deeply, I see that these are habits that build over time. First, they start out slowly: having the urge to want things immediately, setting high expectations of receiving exactly what you ordered on Amazon, or assuming what the next words in people’s sentences will be. Then these habits build into work and life: writing an email in 10 seconds, finishing the day at 12 p.m., and rushing home from work—all stemming from a place of instant gratification.
The Bible says that patience is a virtue and a fruit of the Spirit. God calls us to wait patiently on Him and to be still, as we see in Psalm 27:14 and Psalm 46:10.
But for someone who has built a lifestyle of not waiting, it is often in the moments when God does not answer that I begin to become weary and frustrated, especially when answers are not quickly falling before me.
Let’s read James 1:2–4: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
We clearly see here that patience is directly tied to faith. When faith is being tested, patience is being produced. The byproduct of patience allows for understanding, endurance, and perseverance. It is patience that yields increased faith and also outward trust in the Lord.
James points out that patience has a perfect work, which means a finished, thorough, and complete task or creation that lacks no necessary part or flaw. Therefore, the testing of faith produces a spiritual maturity that can only be developed through patience.
I think this is important as we move into the next few months until the new year. In order for God to bring you into a mature place, lacking nothing, patience has to finish its work.
Ask yourself: “Are there areas in your life where patience needs to be matured? Are there situations that need more faith and patience to be produced so that you can see and experience the hand of God? Lastly, what area of your life is lacking trust in God and needs to be renewed in faith?”
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for Your grace and mercy that You have so happily bestowed upon us these last few weeks. I pray You would send an increase in both faith and patience as You continue to mature us in Jesus. Lord, thank You for the salvation that was offered to us freely, so we can grow closer to You each day. Help those who are wanting to receive an overflow of Your goodness to keep hope and persevere until the end. Keep us near You as we transition into a deeper depth in the next few months. May You reveal Yourself and Your will; may it be done in Your perfect timing in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
