Patience’s Purpose

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 KJV

Aah…patience. Do you have all you need, dear reader? I don’t have to think about this one. I require more patience. Who doesn’t?

Gaining patience is hard work. It takes…well, patience! 😉

One of the secrets to having patience is understanding the reason behind the test. When we realize there is a point to it all, we are free to focus on Jesus and not our circumstances.

Action

When various troubles and trials come our way.

Reaction

Count it a joy. Not because we enjoy pain, but because there is a lesson to be learned. We will reap the benefits of the test!

Reason

The trying of our faith worketh patience. Patience has a purpose. Without patience, we aren’t complete.

Purpose

Experience produces maturity. How can we mature if we never face hardship?

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This month’s theme is patience through trials. How do you view the different storms in your life?

So What Changed?

Good morning, fellow traveler! During a recent storm, the title of this post echoed in my mind and reminded me of a favorite passage in the Bible. I would like to share it with you this morning.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. Matthew 14:22-24 KJV

The word contrary means opposite or antagonistic. Have you ever felt like you were rowing against contrary winds? Maybe it was a situation or a person. And no matter what you tried nothing seemed to work.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. Matthew 14:25-26 KJV

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But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:27-30

So what changed between stepping out of the boat and sinking beneath the waves? Notice Peter walked on water. Walking on water wasn’t an impossibility. It only became impossible when Peter focused on his circumstances. Our faith isn’t found in our circumstance but in the Master of the Wind.

Stormy Sea Coast Pixabay

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:31-32

Something else that caught my eye was the wind was blowing from the time Peter left the boat until he reentered the ship. The Lord didn’t calm the winds to deliver Peter. Likewise, He may not calm the wind in our lives. But He will answer the cries of our heart and immediately takes us in His arms.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

In this world, we will have troubles and trials. No doubt about that, my friend. But, our hardships are what the Potter uses to strengthen and grow us. I think the following song fits nicely with this post. It is a prayer about sleeping in the storm. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Resurrection Joy

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Good morning, dearest reader! This weekend we celebrate a glorious event. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! To celebrate, I want to give one of my commenters a Kindle ebook, Women of Easter, by Liz Curtis Higgs. All you have to do is tell me what you plan to do to celebrate.

I will announce the winner Thursday, April 13, at 12:00 eastern.

Thanks to all those participating in the giveaway. With the help of Random.org, we have a winner…Melissa Henderson!

He is Risen 2017

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