Have you ever had trouble waiting for something? In our modern lifestyle, it seems that waiting is an enemy. We want what we want when we want it!
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:4)
Let’s look at the results of patience before we decide what it actually is. Patience will make us ‘perfect,’ ‘complete,’ and ‘lacking nothing.’
Perfect means complete in the sense of growth, maturity and mental and moral character.
Complete means complete in every part, perfectly sound in body.
Lacking nothing means to not be destitute or lacking in any area or anything.
Whatever patience is, it is certainly powerful!
Now, let’s look at the definition of patience. Patience: “cheerful endurance.” If you are like me, you immediately noticed the word ‘cheerful.’ Endurance is one thing, but cheerful endurance is something else. Many of us endure by complaining, griping, criticizing, moaning and groaning. That is not true patience.
Did you know that God is called the ‘God of patience?’ “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus” (Rom. 15:5). So, God is the God of cheerful endurance! And He lives in us!
“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, UNTO ALL PATIENCE and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Col. 1:11).
Let’s add some definition to that verse. We are ‘enabled’ with all POWER (dunamis) according to His glorious ‘dominion and strength’ unto…….cheerful endurance! Patience must be important if it takes His dunamis power to enable us to cheerfully endure. When we realize the power of patience, then patience can go to work in our lives so that we can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
“…that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb. 6:12)