James chapter 5 is one of my most favourite chapters of the entire Bible. It teaches us the basics of something we have a lot of trouble doing and being: PATIENT. They say Patience is a virtue but the Bible teaches us about patience, what it really means, and what to do during the 'waiting period'.
I know patience is a corny word that most of use to calm and console others. But do we know what it means? OK, lets take an example. Imagine you are waiting in a municipality office waiting for your turn to arrive. It looks like its going to be a long day because the line in-front of you just doesn't seem to end! What would you normally do? Grind your teeth, roll your eyes and even pass comments on how the system works saying, "tsk tsk .. the authorities just don't know how to do their jobs...what are they paid for? to be lazy???!" Despite of all this, you still have to wait,otherwise how else will you get your paper work done? At the end of the day, the task is accomplished. You can tell me you waited for hours but were you patient?
While you "just" wait, you grumble, ruin your mood, become negative, ruin the mood of other people around you and basically you and others have had a crummy day. Was it really that important to ruin your mood, to lose your peace? No, it wasn't. The Bible tells us that we are given the gift of peace by Christ but it is our responsibility to guard it at all times and keep a vigilant watch for those things that might steal your peace. Things like long lines, overbearing or even menial tasks, chores, situations at work and home, health problems etc can steal your peace. So what do we do?
The answers are given in the chapter 5 of the Book of James. This week, we are going to focus on the Book of James and the wonderful teachings that it provides us for daily life. So read on!
Have a blessed day!
I know patience is a corny word that most of use to calm and console others. But do we know what it means? OK, lets take an example. Imagine you are waiting in a municipality office waiting for your turn to arrive. It looks like its going to be a long day because the line in-front of you just doesn't seem to end! What would you normally do? Grind your teeth, roll your eyes and even pass comments on how the system works saying, "tsk tsk .. the authorities just don't know how to do their jobs...what are they paid for? to be lazy???!" Despite of all this, you still have to wait,otherwise how else will you get your paper work done? At the end of the day, the task is accomplished. You can tell me you waited for hours but were you patient?
What's the difference between plainly waiting and being patient, you ask?
Its this: While you "just" wait, you grumble, ruin your mood, become negative, ruin the mood of other people around you and basically you and others have had a crummy day. Was it really that important to ruin your mood, to lose your peace? No, it wasn't. The Bible tells us that we are given the gift of peace by Christ but it is our responsibility to guard it at all times and keep a vigilant watch for those things that might steal your peace. Things like long lines, overbearing or even menial tasks, chores, situations at work and home, health problems etc can steal your peace. So what do we do?
The answers are given in the chapter 5 of the Book of James. This week, we are going to focus on the Book of James and the wonderful teachings that it provides us for daily life. So read on!
Have a blessed day!
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