HELEN SANDERS
1-23-2026
PATIENCE

Have you ever prayed for patience? Have you noticed when you pray for it that trouble and trials come your way? Are you discouraged, wondering what is going on?

In James chapter 1 the brother of Jesus tells us about patience and tribulation or trials. In verse 2 we are told, “My brethren [that is you and me] count it all joy when you fall into divers [various] temptations [trials]. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect [mature] and entire [mature] wanting [lacking] nothing.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but I can testify that I am not always joyous when a trial comes. But the word says to be joyous because it teaches us patience. Years ago, I learned not to pray for patience [smiles] because it brought trials. But, my friend, God allows those trials to come to help us to grow up. Trials come to develop patience in us so that we mature in our walk with the Lord.

When a trial comes your way, know that God is with you. You may feel like he is “asleep in the boat” but I guarantee you that He knows what is going on. He will never test you beyond what you can be tested. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation [trial] taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation [trial] also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

When we have learned this lesson, you can be sure that there will be another lesson. God will not stop desiring for us to grow until we leave this earth and see him face to face.