I just bet you hardly ever (maybe you never) pray for patience, right? C’mon, admit it. You are afraid that if you ask God to make you patient, He’ll make you miserable. Because way down deep (if you’re like me you think this), you know that to pray for patience is to welcome with open arms a trial -- maybe a big trial; maybe…something really big and hurtful and painful. Isn’t that what we think? We never pray for patience
But things that seem so true to us (especially when it comes to the way we naturally think)… those thought patterns aren’t always the way God thinks. Because when it comes to patience, the book of James says the exact opposite. Patience and perseverance are of such high worth to the Christian that the troubles which produce these courageous qualities should because for rejoicing. Boy, that is so opposite to the way we think. Trials aren’t meant to make us miserable. Trials are meant by God to help us reflect the most godly of all attributes, patience and perseverance! That’s why James chapter one makes such a big deal about you and me welcoming trials as friends… not as reasons to be miserable.
When I think of this profound truth, I think of Pastor Keith in Pennsylvania. Keith and his wife have lost two children over the years – a strange infection resulted in brain injuries in both of their little girls and eventually Keith and Sharon had to release their children into the hands of God. But that’s not all. For the last few years, Pastor Keith has been battling a weird cancer – the doctors can’t quite understand the way this strange cancer is acting, but it’s meant the usual surgeries and therapies. Today I visited Pastor Keith’s blog to get an update and this is what he wrote…
“Just why and what is the reason I am going through all this? Scripture gives [a good reason]: James 1:2-3 says, affliction produces perseverance. The book of James says, ‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.’ The word patience means endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness. This spiritual quality in the life of the Christian is so valuable and so precious that the trials and difficulties that are necessary in order for us to gain these qualities are to be met with joy. Joy! ‘You mean God is producing perseverance in me through this illness? Hallelujah!’” Yes, He is.
I tell you, when I clicked and closed out the blog, I was quiet for a long while, just looking at my computer screen. When I think of all that this pastor has been through – and is going through – having lost two children, struggling with cancer -- I am truly inspired by the way he takes God's Word, well… at its word! The trials that bring about patience and perseverance in our lives are not to be met with, “Aw man! Don’t tell me this is happening! I can’t believe it; this is really awful!” No, no, no, no, the trials that bring patience and perseverance should be met with the same kind of attitude that Pastor Keith has exhibited. Welcome that trial as a friend. Count it all joy. Patience and perseverance are really worth that much!
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