My Dearest Sister,
Let’s be honest with each other: Life is hard and seemingly unfair sometimes. And while I’d like to say that I have mastered the valuable skill of patience in the face of those unavoidable hardships, that would be completely untrue. In fact I think most people, even most Christians, struggle with this particular fruit of the Spirit. It’s not difficult to determine why when we see that patience is defined as “the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.” So basically, being able to handle the complete sum of life’s problems without so much as batting an eyelash. Yeah, I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that’s easy for anyone.
I have always marveled at how simple yet how elusive the concept of patience seems to be. After all, if God calls us to practice it, then surely it should be something that we are capable of doing on a regular basis. I think, however, that the majority of our inability to have true biblical patience lies in the fact that the world and God have two very different ideas about it. It’s another one of those classic sin-versus-righteousness-scenarios that all too often plays itself out in our daily lives. You see, the world teaches us that everything revolves around the here and now. To be truly happy, we have to put ourselves first, doing whatever pleases our fancy because it’s all about enjoying this life to the fullest. Why else do you think that the entire nation owes over 11 trillion dollars in credit card debt? Because they have to have what they want, NOW! Patience simply has no place in the humanistic – and by extension materialistic – lifestyle.
God’s idea, on the other hand, is quite different. As Christians, we know that this life is temporary, gone in the blink of an eye, and that there is a greater, eternal life to come. Hebrews 6:11-12 speaks about the attitude we are to have toward this life: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” The world doesn’t have a promise for anyone’s future; All it can guarantee is the here and now. God, however, has given “exceedingly great and precious promises” to those He calls His children (2 Peter 1:4). If you’re unfamiliar with them, just read the Book of Revelation for starters. There is something better at the end of this life and so we are content to have patience, even if it means suffering through hardships and trials along the way.
James 5:10-11 gives us an example of this patience through earthly sorrows: “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” Many of the prophets of God were tortured and brutally killed for speaking in His name, yet not for one second did they stop persevering down the path to which God had called them. They knew the end the Lord had intended for them, one full of compassion and mercy. It is because of their unshakeable faith in this promise, that they were able to have patience, even in the midst of their suffering. Job, on the other hand, had everything stripped from him but his life and still he faithfully served the Lord. It was because of his faith and patience that he was rewarded in the end with even more prosperity than he had before.
Now thankfully, most of us do not face the daily horror of being physically persecuted for our faith or losing our homes, family, and health in one fell swoop. But even if we did, we can be sure that all of our suffering has first passed through our Father’s hands. As Proverbs 20:24 says “A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?” It’s easy to feel like God has abandoned us when we are in the midst of earthly struggles and life has not turned out as we planned. Often times the last thing we want to do is have patience for this glorious end that feels so very far away from the here and now. But sister, let me assure you that God has planned every step of the journey. While there will be times when we will suffer more than we ever thought possible, we do not need to fear or doubt, for His promise to the prophets is the same as His promise to you and I: He has an end in mind that is for our good and His glory, one where He can finally pour out His full compassion and mercy on our souls. Have patience for that end dear sister, no matter what struggles we face in the meantime. We can’t afford to become short-sighted and lost in the sorrows of this life, not when we know the glory that awaits us in eternity.
As I finish this letter, I am reminded of a hymn I learned as a child and it seems fitting to close with it here:
“It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.
Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase.
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.”
Remember the promises of God about your glorious future, my dearest sister, for they will give you the patience to endure even the toughest of life’s hardships.
Your dear friend and sister in Christ,
~ Lauren