(James 1:2-4 NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
(Hebrews 6:12 NIV) …We want you to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
What is patience?
- an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay:
- quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence:
Patience does not mean, just barely hang on until the storm is over.
Patience does mean to be consistently constant.
Being consistent or patient is what is going to get us through this storm that we are all in.
(James 5:11 MSG) What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.
Four reasons people are inconsistent:
- We get discouraged.
(Galatians 6:9 NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Weary (Greek: ekkakeo) out of / courage or discouraged.
Discouragement is a product of disappointment or frustrated expectation.
Discouragement is a product of disappointment which comes from a negative past experience, something not working out as you had hoped it would.
People start out excited about what the Bible says but then get discouraged because it does not happen as fast as we would like for it to happen or the way we thought it would.
You must forget the past.
Philippians 3:13 TPT I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.
- We get lazy.
(Hebrews 6:11-12 NIV) We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. (12) We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
(Hebrews 6:12 MSG) Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.
Many people are not lazy in the natural but where spiritual things are concerned they are lazy and slothful.
How much time and effort are we devoting to spiritual things?
You must prioritize your life to give spiritual things the pre-eminence in your life.
We must make a decision to be diligent in spiritual things.
- We get weighed down.
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
If it siphons off time, energy and resources that would enable you to run the race better it is a weight.
- A weight could be a hobby.
- A weight could be a relationship with someone.
- A weight could be some kind of emotional need.
Greek gives a picture of someone laying something down and then pushing it far from them, beyond easy reach. It implies a deliberate decision to change your behavior. This does not happen accidentally!
Lay them down and push them away, far out of reach!
- We lack joy.
(James 1:2-4 NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (3) For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (4) So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Count it all joy when the storm comes because if you remain consistent you will become perfect and complete wanting nothing.
Joy is the strength of your life to motivate you to become consistent.
(Nehemiah 8:10 NLT) And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
How do I activate joy in my life?
- Remember, it is already in you!
John 15:11 NKJV “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
- Remember that this storm is temporary and you will win if you don’t quit.
(Hebrews 12:2 NLT) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Jesus never lost focus on the prize and what was waiting for Him. Jesus knew He was going to win!
This storm is temporary and you will make it through to victory in Jesus Name!