James 5:10-11 — Don't throw a fit, throw a prophet!

 READ THIS: James 5:10-11

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

 
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

So, say we're still struggling with the whole "be patient" idea...something that could help is thinking about prophets who had to be patient. A prophet is someone who hears from God and speaks about it, like Moses and Jonah in the Bible. Both of them had to wait awhile to see what God was doing, whether it was for 40 years in a desert or for a few days by a terrible town called Ninevah. But, because they waited, they got to see something amazing! Like a new land or a group of people repenting! 

It takes some perseverance to keep on waiting for Jesus, but God will come through. In the story of Job, Job suffered a WHOLE lot. His entire family died, he got really sick and poor, and his friends were incredibly unhelpful. He was so fed up and angry with God for not saving him from all his troubles, but he never cursed at God or anything. He complained, but he also waited to see what God would do. And what God did was come and speak to Job and then also give Job a whole new family and wealth again! That might not be our exact story when we go through hard times, BUT it helps us know that God is with us, and He is compassionate (suffers with us) and merciful (doesn't give us all the bad things we earn).


THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Who is someone that you can think of who is super patient?

2. Who is someone that you can think of who has persevered through a lot? (in other words, someone who has gone through really tough things but kept pushing through)

 
TRY THIS:

When you get irritated or overwhelmed today, think about either the two people you thought of in questions 1 and 2 or about Moses, Jonah, or Job. See how/if that changes your thoughts/heart!

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2023 at 8:21 AM

    I was thinking about the different kinds of patience—the DOING kind of patience and the BEING kind of patience. I DO a lot of things that take patience to complete. On the other hand, I AM not patient when waiting on or for someone or something. I love Bill Gather’s song about patience, “Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry. When you get impatient, you only start to worry. Remember, remember, that God is patient too, so think about the times when others have to wait on you!” I will work on the BEING kind of patient.

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