The apostle James tells us to count it all joy when we face trials and temptations. Adversities are God’s means of developing patience in our lives (James 1:1-4). But why are we to count it all joy? Personally, I find it hard to smile, let alone be joyful, as I navigate turbulent storms, especially in relationships. The temptation is to show frustration or anger, or to entertain thoughts of... you know, all those feelings that are contrary to being Christ-like!

    James tells us that testing our faith produces patience; we are therefore to let “patience have her perfect work.” Enduring times of testing build godly character, inner strength, and spiritual maturity. Impatience leads us to run ahead of God and take matters into our own hands, resulting in reactions that promote strife, discord, and division. Where does our trust lie? In Christ or in our own strength, wisdom, and ability to handle life’s situations?

   Being patient doesn’t mean we no longer have emotions. Rather, how we respond matters. Instead of being led by the Spirit, unresolved anger, jealousy, and similar emotions can drive our actions. Often, the Lord tells me to do nothing but wait. Waiting isn’t one of my virtues. In my obedience, He often resolves the situation or shows me the path. With my emotions in check, I can proceed in the right spirit, for the right reason, with pure motive and purpose. Patience truly is a virtue because it requires trusting in the Lord. 

     Losing our patience can have serious consequences. Moses is an example of this. He understood that to lead Israel through the wilderness, he would need God’s help. He asked God to show him His glory, saying he would not lead unless God was with him. In response to Moses’ request, the Lord put him in a cleft of the rock. As the Lord passed by, He revealed His mercy, abundant in goodness, truth, and longsuffering (Exodus 333:22, 34:5-7, 35).  

    Instead of revealing His glory, God revealed His heart. Moses was fortunate to be given the heart of the Father along with His divine nature. The Lord’s divine nature within Moses enabled him to shine with the light of God’s glory. God’s divine nature empowered Moses with the strength and character to lead God’s people. In essence, this is the fruit that patience is meant to produce through trials, known as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The fruit of the Spirit is forged in our lives and enables us to abide in His divine nature, not in ours. Thus, patience is a virtue we should all desire, no matter the price. 

    However, over time, Moses developed a serious issue. After years of dealing with what he called a stiff-necked, rebellious people, Moses’ heart began to grow cold. God asked Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. In anger, Moses called the people “rebels” and disobeyed the Lord, striking the rock twice with his rod. In effect, the rock became a way to vent his anger toward the people. Because of this misrepresentation of God, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Impatience has consequences (Numbers 20). 

     Today, many people are like ticking time bombs, ready to explode. Volatile emotions are like a virus; they spread quickly and affect many. Praise God, there is a place where we can abide in the presence of the Lord, marked by peace and joy. Patience enables us to abide in the peace and presence of God, who is love, the source of all that we are called to be and do.  

     While I do not control everything around me, I love feeling in control of my inner self, refusing to let the things of this world dictate my reactions and course of action. When one stands with patience, being still within, they stand in the strength of the Lord, for that is His nature. Proverbs 16:32 tells us:

   “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.”  

      Recently, I encountered a misunderstanding that deeply hurt my heart. Through the ordeal, I discovered that I was not only patient but also resting in God's peace. Peace prevailed throughout the ordeal. Finally, I understood why James tells us to let patience have her perfect work. His peace is the result of learning to place our faith in Christ, our resting place. Here in His presence, there is fullness of joy, His joy, which is our strength. 

  In His heart and love- Roy Roden

Eastgate Ministries, email info@eastgateoffice.org