Patience truly does develop endurance.
James 1: 2
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.
Count
consider, esteem
joy (chara – pronounced khar-ah)
calm delight, gladness, cheerfulness
fall into (peripipto – pronounced per-ee-pip-to)
something that is all around, be surrounded with
divers (peirasmos – pronounced pi-ras-mos)
various in character
temptations (peirasmos – pronounced pi-ras-mos)
a putting to proof, experience of evil, adversity, to try
We are not to get down when we are surrounded by tests and trials of all kinds. They will “put us to proof” to see what we are made of. God just considers this to be part of your growth process as a Christian, even though the temptation is not brought on by Him.
He will always help you to find a way through it so that you can come out stronger. If you never have any adversity in your life, you can’t overcome and be a stronger person.
James 1: 3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Knowing (ginosko – pronounced ghin-oce-ko)
be aware of, feel, perceive, be sure
This is active voice with the action happening now
trying (dokimion – pronounced dok-im-ee-on)
testing, trustworthiness
faith (pistis – pronounced pis-tis)
persuasion, conviction of truth of God, reliance upon, belief
worketh (katergazomai – pronounced kat-er-gad-zom-ahee)
accomplish, to finish, cause, perform
In this word, the subject acts upon itself, and the action is in the now.
patience (hupomone – pronounced hoop-om-on-ay)
endurance, constancy, patient waiting
When a Christian has a strong faith about a particular thing, Satan will always try to make him doubt. He will try his best to show him that what he is believing for could not possibly happen.
Real faith, though, is a strong belief in the truths that God has shown you. When you are tested and pass, you develop a stronger endurance and constancy that God is always working on your behalf and in your best interest.
You can learn to wait calmly for the answer from God because you KNOW beyond any doubt that the answer will come.
You also learn that if you have impatience and try to take matters in your own hands, things usually end in disaster instead of accomplishment and stronger growth.
James 1: 4
But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
perfect (teleios – pronounced tel-i-os)
complete in applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character; of full age
work (ergon – pronounced er-gon)
an act, deed, doing
entire (holokleros – pronounced hol-ok-lay-ros)
complete in every part, perfectly sound, whole
Anarthrous Noun – serves to point out the quality of something
wanting (leipo – pronounced li-po)
to lack, be destitute
nothing (meders – pronounced may-dice)
not even one – anything
When you are perfected, every part of your life will be whole and complete. You won’t think about getting ahead of God and doing things yourself because you know that everything will always work out for the best when He is in control.
When trouble comes your way you can let it be an opportunity for joy, knowing that when your endurance is fully developed you will be strong in character and a person that God can fully use.
God can use testing and trials as a way of perfecting faith. He blesses His Child who remains faithful even though things sometimes get tough.
For further study, read God Uses Trials To Purify You under the category Walk in Power.
