Learning Patience Through Tribulation

How often do we get discouraged when we expect something to happen or something to arrive. We literally wait in vain, and get frustrated to the point of not even wanting the expected results or item only to have a sigh of hardened relief when it finally arrives almost as if you are mad that it is done. Does that sound familiar? You are not alone.
Scripture teaches that the best way to learn patience is to be tested by first learning perseverance through tribulation. Some things we do in this world require much more patience than we are capable of. In our passage today, James talks about the patience of the farmer and the need for patience with each other no matter the circumstance.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.  James 5:7-11
There is Strength in Patience
The farmer waits for the rain in anticipation of the crops that will be the reward for the labor of planting seeds. In this way we too must be patient as the seeds we had sown through witnessing His Word grow into new believers and the Body of Crist so we can wait for the Lord’s return as a Community of the Body of Christ.
It is also better to talk things through rather than grumbling over the words or actions of another. Face the brother or sister and talk things through so that forgiveness can be found rather than suffer the torment of judgement. The key is to have patience rather than a hardened heart.
Patience is Grown from Perseverance 
Think back to the opening statement. There was a struggle of the mind as it was developing feelings of frustration that could lead to anger. The key is to let things happen and not worry because things will happen the way God wants them to, not us. OK so the letter or package got lost in the mail or the person never arrived. What did it do to you when you got mad? Nothing could change the problem from happening that you could control. Sometimes circumstances make what we expect to happen to fall through. There is no need for frustration, make a call, send a text, talk things out the truth will be revealed in time.
Tribulation Leads to Understanding Patience
Sometimes we have to go through a rough moment to learn how to be patient. Think about Job and all he went through. What about Jonah, or Joseph? Each one was given a situation or task that caused trouble, second guessing when unsure if it was a true call, suffering loss only to receive more than they ever wanted. Problems can lead to success if we just give all over to God even in our weakest and He will provide a solution with a teaching point.
Being Patient is Not Easy, But it is Worth It
We are in the season where we celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus and His Ascension while we wait for His Glorious Appearing. Scriptures teach us how to have proactive patience where we continue the work given in the Great Commission until He returns to reap the harvest. What we do not need to be doing is guessing the time of His coming by making false assumptions on Facebook and You Tube. Sure the stars and other writings may point to certain dates but He Himself warned us not to guess. We are to just let things happen. All those who talk about dreams or prophecies and try to determine dates make it hard for those who are following God’s Work of patient adoration. Just let Him come as the thief in the night but have your oil ready for the holy lampstand.
Brothers and Sisters,
I wish you well this Holy Week coming soon as we celebrate Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and  Resurrection Day. In preparation, keep His Word on your heart and do not sway left or right. Keep your eye on the prize of eternal life.
Love and Blessings to all,
Rob, Servant of God