“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4
Those who know me know that I’ve made a habit of saying, “For the Christian, the future always looks bright if you look far enough ahead. The best is yet to come”. I don’t keep repeating that because it is just a cute little saying, but because it is essential to view life from that perspective if we are to triumph over the trials and temptations of life. To live victoriously we must keep “Looking unto Jesus” and “consider Him…lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds”(Hebrews 12:2-3). We must view every experience in the light of God’s “exceeding great and precious promises..”(2 Peter 1:4). For the believer, everything has a purpose and will “work together for good”(Romans 8:28). We just have to wait.
Speaking in this regards, Adrian Rogers wrote:
What does God want out of you? He wants you to experience the fullness of Christ. And the way to this is through trials and tribulations. Can you be patient during this process? If you’re like most people, probably not. We become like children who don’t know the difference between “No” and “Not yet.” If you say, “Wait a while,” to them that is, “No.” They want it now. But God is interested in maturing you. A Danish proverb says, “Give to a pig when it grunts and give to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a bad child.” Tribulation brings patience, and patience makes us mature.
What are you waiting for? What are you struggling with? Give it to Jesus. Trust in His timing and His provision.
