Developing Endurance - God Is Never in a Hurry

In review of James 1:4 it says, “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed”

Bottom Line:

Let pressure do its work, you will learn from it and become mature.

What this means to me:

I should not try to get out of any problems prematurely. I need to let it do it’s work so that I can develop maturity and the ability to handle things that come up.

Today’s verse is a reminder for me to be patient with God and with myself. One frustration is that God’s timetable is rarely the same as mine. I’m often in a hurry when God isn’t. I may feel frustrated with the seemingly slow progress I’m making.

What I should keep in mind is that God is never in a hurry, rather he is always on time. He will use my entire lifetime to prepare me for my role in eternity.

God’s Word is filled with examples of how He uses a long process to develop character, especially in leaders. He took 80 years to prepare Moses, including 40 in the wilderness. For 14,600 days Moses kept waiting and wondering, “Is it time yet?” But God kept saying, “Not yet.”

So contrary to many popular book titles, there are no “Easy Steps to Maturity” or “Secrets of Instant Sainthood.” When God wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years, but when he wants to make a mushroom, he does it overnight.

In addition great people are grown through struggles and storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process. James advised, “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed” (James 1:4 MSG).

Don’t get discouraged. When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn’t think God was acting quickly enough, God had this to say: “These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” (Habakkuk 2:3 TLB)

I can consider how far I’ve come, not just how far I have to go. I’m not where I want to be, but neither am I where I used to be. I know that God is not finished with me yet. So I should keep on moving forward. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!

Today I will consider how I can show patience with others, just like God is patient with me? Also, how could I encourage people today in their spiritual growth?