Waiting Till Patience is Perfect

James says to count it all joy when we fall into various trials because the testing of our faith produces patience, and he goes on to exhort his readers to let patience have its perfect work. When God gives us hardships, we often want to learn the lesson right away. But James says that time is part of sanctification. God loves time and uses it to grow us up. This means that we need to learn to revel in the trials of God. Perhaps God has given you young, challenging children. Revel in their challenges, rejoice in the opportunity God has given to you to raise these covenant children. Perhaps God has given you older, challenging children. Glory in their gifts, their blessings, and growing wisdom. Perhaps God has given you what you consider to be challenging parents. God calls you to count it a joy. Tell God “thank you” for your parents. Perhaps God has given you medical problems, sickness or disease, thank God for your sickness, thank him for your disease. Perhaps God has given you financial troubles. Remember what James says; not only are these tests to produce patience, but let patience have its perfect work in you. Do this by recognizing that it is the good, loving, and sovereign Lord of the Universe who has bestowed these challenges and trials upon you. It is not enough merely not to complain; you must give thanks. He has given you this particular job, this particular hardship, this particular pain because this is how he is determined to grow you up and bless you. He is determined to have his perfect work in you. So thank him and trust him.