You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8
Nearly every person around the world is waiting for something to occur. Most commonly people are waiting in some type of line. It could be a line in a store or a line in heavy traffic or in a line of time waiting for something to arrive.
During the time of waiting in line, it is extremely common to hear someone complaining about the waiting. No matter how fast things are, they should be faster. This becomes even more true, when there is pain in the waiting.
As James is talking about suffering for Christ, he tells the people to be patient and stand firm, because Jesus is returning soon.
When a person is having a great time and enjoying what he is doing, the time appears to fly by very quickly. He has no complaints because everything is going perfectly or at least going his way at the moment. Joy and pleasure are being experienced.
However, life is not always fun and games. There are times of difficulties, pain and suffering. Along with normal pain and suffering, believers may also experience persecution, causing more suffering.
The world will be quick to complain about the suffering and blame whatever they can on their circumstances.
True believers will realize that all the pain and suffering that they are going through is only temporary. Their focus is not on the here and now, but on the return of Jesus and eternity.
Instead of grumbling and complaining, they wait patiently, standing upon God’s promises, knowing that it will all come to an end soon when Jesus returns. As they wait, they continue to fulfill God’s purpose on this earth–to build His kingdom and become more like Jesus every day.
You may be going through some suffering right now. It may be natural sufferings of the temporary body and life on this earth, or it may be suffering from persecution for your belief in Jesus.
Either way it is painful. Do not give into the suffering and begin complaining, but focus upon the promise of Jesus’ soon return and eternal life in heaven with God.
Seek God’s purpose in the suffering and His grace to make it joyfully through the situation in your life. Soon you will have a perfect body, with no more suffering or pain for eternity in heaven with Jesus.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will help you have the patience needed to keep moving forward with Him; that you will stand firm upon the promise of the return of Jesus; and that you will see God at work in every situation in your life.
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