“And let endurance (patience) have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you be perfect and completely developed (in your faith), lacking in nothing.” James 1:4 (amp) Let’s be honest, waiting isn’t easy. It can be downright difficult especially when the wait makes you feel as if you’ve been forgotten. I’ve been there and the last thing you want to hear is “be patient.” Let me encourage you to avoid giving into your feelings. The process or the wait will produce a far greater result that we can’t comprehend right now. Believe it or not, developing patience is a part of God’s plan and purpose for our lives.
Consider the many examples of real people in the Bible who waited for years to receive God’s promises. Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Hannah, and David to name a few. Their purpose was locked up in their ability to endure some of the most unimaginable circumstances. Waiting requires us to develop a resolve that can’t be shaken by outside factors. It requires courage (Psalms 27:14) and an expectation that God will respond to our prayers. This courage and expectation will help us to develop confidence as we consistently show up in faith knowing that we will find the strength that we need to endure (Isaiah 40:31).
So as we endure we grow in our understanding of who He is. We come to realize that He is our sufficiency. As we endure our faith grows and we find that we don’t grow anxious or worried when a situation doesn’t work out quite like we wanted it to. As a matter of fact, our faith will grow and extend to others who need someone to stand in the gap for them. As we endure we grow and mature in Christ which is His ultimate desire for every one of us. And even if the wait does not produce our desired result, God’s purpose for the wait will prevail.