July 20, 2015 – James 5:7-8

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. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8Why are we impatient?  And what negative aspects of our being comes from being impatient.  How about selfishness, the need for control and boundless anger?  Just speaking from experience, when I am impatient.  The need for hurrying to move to the things I want to do.When my husband began the journey of Dementia, I learned the importance of patience… and then I find these verses.  Even as a farmer waits for the right season to plant and harvest.  Even as the farmer waits for the blessing of rain.  His eyes are on the times and on the sky.  And he learns patience.Does suffering always couple with patience?  Yes.  Staying the course, continuing through difficulties and stormy seasons brings us to the understanding of the compassion and mercy of God.Job lost all he owned on earth, he lost all, but his faith in God stayed steadfast.  He was blessed through his steadfastness with more than he lost, Job was faithful to God.  He knew God had a plan.For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11.  His ways are not like our ways.  His thoughts are not our thoughts.  His purposes are not our purposes.  We will never quite understand, but we will learn to trust Him, as a wise man once told me….Who else is there?  “Who else is there who gives us life, purpose, mercy, compassion and endless, unconditional love?”As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 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 5:10-11