But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
—James 1:4
Patience is extremely important for people who want to glorify God and enjoy their lives. If we are impatient, the situations we encounter in life will certainly cause us to react emotionally.
The next time you have to wait on something or someone, instead of just reacting, try reminding yourself, Getting upset will not make this go any faster, so I might as well enjoy the wait. Then perhaps say out loud, “I am developing patience as I wait, so I am thankful in this situation.” If you do that, you will be acting on the Word of God rather than reacting to the unpleasant circumstance.
Remember, patience is a fruit of the Spirit that God wants to develop in your life. Don’t merely think about how hard and frustrating it is, but think about how blessed you can be as you learn the art of waiting well.
Prayer of Thanks: Father, I am grateful that You have planted patience in my spirit and that through You, I can react properly to any situation. Help me today, and every day, to exercise patience in all things.
Never Hopeless
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”
Jeremiah 29:12–14
The Israelites who were taken to Babylon as captives were suffering because they had disobeyed God's commands regarding the Sabbath. Rather than trusting Him to provide a bountiful harvest, they continued to plant every year. Just as God had warned them before they entered the Promised Land, they were conquered and taken away as a result. “Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths” (Leviticus 26:34).
But when it seemed that all hope was lost and they would never be able to return to their homeland, God commanded the prophet Jeremiah to send them a message. Though they had ignored God’s warning of the coming judgment, now Jeremiah told them that God still had a plan and purpose for their future—and that if they would repent and turn back to Him, He would restore them.
There are many Christians who are enduring hardship because of sins or mistakes they have made, though, of course, not all suffering is a result of sin. But rather than being discouraged and thinking things will never change for the better, they need to remember the eternal promise of God. He never gives up on us, and He never forsakes us. If we turn to Him, He will forgive and restore.
Jeremiah 29:12–14
The Israelites who were taken to Babylon as captives were suffering because they had disobeyed God's commands regarding the Sabbath. Rather than trusting Him to provide a bountiful harvest, they continued to plant every year. Just as God had warned them before they entered the Promised Land, they were conquered and taken away as a result. “Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths” (Leviticus 26:34).
But when it seemed that all hope was lost and they would never be able to return to their homeland, God commanded the prophet Jeremiah to send them a message. Though they had ignored God’s warning of the coming judgment, now Jeremiah told them that God still had a plan and purpose for their future—and that if they would repent and turn back to Him, He would restore them.
There are many Christians who are enduring hardship because of sins or mistakes they have made, though, of course, not all suffering is a result of sin. But rather than being discouraged and thinking things will never change for the better, they need to remember the eternal promise of God. He never gives up on us, and He never forsakes us. If we turn to Him, He will forgive and restore.
Today’s Growth Principle:
As long as we live, God will never give up on us, and as a result, there is always hope.
Waiting Well
by Joyce Meyer - posted February 05, 2017But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
—James 1:4
Patience is extremely important for people who want to glorify God and enjoy their lives. If we are impatient, the situations we encounter in life will certainly cause us to react emotionally.
The next time you have to wait on something or someone, instead of just reacting, try reminding yourself, Getting upset will not make this go any faster, so I might as well enjoy the wait. Then perhaps say out loud, “I am developing patience as I wait, so I am thankful in this situation.” If you do that, you will be acting on the Word of God rather than reacting to the unpleasant circumstance.
Remember, patience is a fruit of the Spirit that God wants to develop in your life. Don’t merely think about how hard and frustrating it is, but think about how blessed you can be as you learn the art of waiting well.
Prayer of Thanks: Father, I am grateful that You have planted patience in my spirit and that through You, I can react properly to any situation. Help me today, and every day, to exercise patience in all things.
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