Learning Patience and Perseverance: Enduring Trials with Christ in Control

Summary

Patience is not natural. It is developed through trials and dependence on God. James teaches believers to endure difficulties by viewing life from God’s perspective and remembering His patience toward them. True patience flows from the Holy Spirit’s control, not self-effort. Perseverance goes further, enduring pain without quitting. Anchored in Christ’s return and future joy, believers can resist bitterness, lay aside hindrances, and faithfully finish the race of faith.

Why Patience Does Not Come Naturally

We do not begin life with an abundance of patience. When babies are wet, hungry, or tired, they cry. Patient endurance is not part of the package.

We are not born with patience. Accumulating it seems like storing marbles on a table on a slanted floor. Progress is elusive.

Learning Patience and Perseverance

Do you struggle with patience, too? I am not surprised. James 5:7-11 has an important message for us. Christians must patiently endure the trials of life.

First, consider the view from above. I once flew over my house in an airplane.

From the air, the woods behind the house, which seemed giant to me as a kid, looked like a small woodlot. The trees seemed like big weeds.

Our problems are like that. For us, they are the only reality. Nothing else exists. From above, from God’s perspective, they take on manageable proportions.

Patience Toward Others as God Is Patient With Us

Patience includes not trying to get even with those who wrong us. Matthew 18:21-35 connects human and divine patience. We are obligated to treat others as God has treated us.

I am glad God does not zap me the moment I step out of line! Remember how patient God has been with you. Moreover, He can give you the patience you need.

Christ in the Driver’s Seat

The secret of patience is keeping Christ in the driver’s seat of your life. The Holy Spirit’s control yields long-suffering patience (Galatians 5:22).

Impatience and Spirit-controlled thinking run on different tracks. Impatience reveals a self-controlled life.

Waiting for the Lord’s Coming

The Jewish farmer patiently waited for rain for his crop. Similarly, we wait patiently for the Lord’s coming. That is our source of strength for the present.

Physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness lie ahead when Jesus comes. A sure future stabilizes a turbulent present (James 5:8).

The Lord’s coming is also a warning. God forbids complaining and hidden bitterness (James 5:9). Both demonstrate a lack of patience with others.

Perseverance: Refusing to Quit

Unlike patience, perseverance is stick-to-it-iveness despite pain. Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…” (Job 13:15 NIV). Job persevered through incredible difficulties because he single-mindedly trusted God, no matter what.

Finishing the Race with Endurance

The Christian life is a race requiring endurance to finish (Hebrews 12:1). To endure, we must lay aside everything that interferes with fully living for Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2).

That includes sin and the “good” things that prevent us from doing our best for Him. Focus on the joy that lies ahead. Learn patience and perseverance.

Many remember Roberto Duran for saying “no more” when he quit during the eighth round of his boxing match with Ray Leonard in 1980. By God’s grace, we will not be a “no more” Christian. 

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