When someone tells me of a trial they are going through, I sometimes try and brighten their spirit by jokingly asking if they had been praying for patience. Of course, we know that James teaches us that patience comes through the ‘trying of your faith.’

Even though patience, which is so valuable in maturing spiritually, is the goal, I still have difficulty praying for trials. I don’t really like to suffer! I figure I can trust God to bring the trials He thinks I need without begging for more. I noticed something in James’ teaching on patience this time through. He wrote in…

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

It seems that for patience to be fully completed in our lives, we must cooperate with it, or let it happen. In fact, the thought is actually written in the form of a command. It turns out God is quite serious about our developing patience.

Since patience is developed through the hard times of pain, suffering, and sometimes sorrow, our flesh is going to do everything possible to flee the instruments God uses to stir them. We were made to run from pain as a natural safety precaution. If we accidentally touch a hot stove, our reflex jerks our hand back to prevent further pain.

We don’t like pain and suffering, and we are conditioned to avoid it like the plague. However, the path to patience is along a roadway strewn with painful hazards. There will be financial hardships, health concerns, job pressures, project failures, hurt feelings, and a host of other ways our emotions will be shredded in a proverbial blender.

How can we reach God’s intended goal for our lives if everything in us rebels against His method of receiving it?

I believe the answer begins in our verse. It is a command. God said that we are to do it. We should be willing to endure the trials and hurts that come our way without complaining and casting blame at God simply because He told us to work with Him to develop patience. First, He said do it.

Patience gives us a fresh way to look at the trials. Instead of crying out in agony, patience says, ‘Hang on, this trial will soon pass. You’ve been through many of these, and you know they always pass.’

Patience also allows us to think before acting when the trial blows up in our path. Instead of panicking, and attacking the trial foolishly, possibly making the situation worse, patience gives the ability to consider options first.

God showed us the plan for developing patience. He then commanded us to pursue it. I’d say we should keep it on our ‘to do’ list, and see that it’s done, for His glory.