Patience: The Pathway to Faith

This study will inspire you to grow in patience so you will find the faith you need to overcome any challenge or circumstance.

7 Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. A farmer patiently waits for his valuable crop to grow from the earth and for it to receive the autumn and spring rains. 8 You, too, must be patient. Do not give up hope, because the Lord is coming soon. 9 Brothers and sisters, do not complain against each other or you will be judged guilty. And the Judge is ready to come! 10 Brothers and sisters, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They suffered many hard things, but they were patient. 11 We say they are happy because they did not give up. You have heard about Job’s patience, and you know the Lord’s purpose for him in the end. You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind.

James 5:7-11 (NCV)

What Patience Looks Like

Never give up

Our challenges can seem daunting compared to the pretentious world of facebook. I can often quit by looking to the world for its quick comforts and deceiving solutions rather than being determined to turn to God with hope.

Don’t complain

I want, what I want, when I want it. When things don’t go my way, which is often, I complain. This hardens my heart to what God is doing and blinds me to where he is leading me.

Trust in God’s purpose

When life happens, one of my challenges is to keep believing. I can let life exhaust my faith rather being fueled by God to believe. Learning to trust in God’s character and his purpose helps me overcome.

Questions:

What need in your life were you seeking God for help? Did you lose patience and stop?

How has complaining with God and others affected your faith?

What sin do you need to throw off so that you are not entangled by unbelief?

Do you believe that regardless of circumstances, God is kind and works through everything for the good?

Additional reading:

• Book of James (NCV)
• Philippians 4:11-13(NCV)
• Hebrews 12 (NCV)
• Romans 8:28-39 (NCV)