Patience. Just hearing the word can make us cringe, right? It’s one of those things we all know we need but aren’t exactly thrilled about learning. Galatians 5:22 lists patience as part of the fruit of the Spirit, and as much as we might wish for a quick download of it, God often cultivates patience in us through trials. James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” God isn’t being cruel when He allows trials into our lives; He’s producing something in us that couldn’t grow otherwise.
“Like the farmer waiting for rain, we must learn to trust God in the process and keep working while we wait.”
1. Wait Like Farmers
James 5:7 reminds us to be patient like a farmer waiting for the precious fruit of the earth. Farmers don’t just sit back and do nothing, they plow, plant, water, and trust God for the harvest. In the same way, patience is not passive. It’s active trust in God. Some of you are in a season of waiting, and you’re wondering, Why hasn’t the harvest come? But have you sown the seeds? Are you plowing the soil of your heart with prayer and obedience?
Farmers know that some things can’t be rushed. A baby takes nine months to grow, and a harvest comes in its season. So don’t just endure your season, embrace it! God works in seasons, and in due season you will reap if you don’t give up (Galatians 6:9).
2. Wrestle Like the Prophets
James 5:10 points us to the prophets who endured suffering and patience in the Lord’s name. They didn’t suffer because they were out of God’s will, they suffered because they were in it. Think about Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, or Daniel in the lion’s den. These heroes of faith wrestled with God through trials, but they didn’t give up. Hebrews 11:39 tells us these faithful ones didn’t receive all that was promised in their lifetime, yet they endured, knowing God’s promises are always worth waiting for.
As believers, we will face challenges, setbacks, and disappointments. But remember, the world is not our home. Patience strengthens us to stand firm until we see God’s eternal purposes come to pass.
3. Worship Like Job
James 5:11 gives us the ultimate example of endurance: Job. Job lost everything, his wealth, health, and family. Yet in the midst of his pain, he worshiped. Job 1:21 says, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
“Sometimes patience looks like simply outlasting your problems. It’s worshiping through the pain and trusting that God is working even when we can’t see it.”
Job didn’t deny his grief, but he chose to trust God in it. He endured, and the Lord blessed the latter part of his life more than the first (Job 42:12).
Patience with an Eternal Perspective
Patience isn’t just about surviving trials, it’s about growing through them. It’s not “suffering long” with a bad attitude, but maintaining love, joy, and peace while you wait. Whatever you’re going through today, stand firm and trust that God is up to something good. Remember, He is preparing a place for us, and He is preparing us for that place.
Are you ready for what He has in store? If you’ve gotten away from God, come back home. If you’re ready to take your next step in faith, we’d love to hear from you! Plan your visit to Liberty at libertylive.church/visit or fill out a connect card at libertylive.church/connect.
Works Consulted:
Galatians by John MacArthur
Spirit Fruit by Jerry Vines
Galatians by Warren Wiersbe
