james 1:2-4 (patience in pain)

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"It is not lost time to wait upon the Lord." -J. Hudson Taylor 


 There is a bookmark in my Bible, just a tattered piece of paper covered in my scrawling handwriting. I think it was from my senior year of high school. The writing is a list of things I learned about my faith that year that I didn't want to forget. 
One of those things was this reminder: "Sometimes when we are in the exact center of God's Will is when we will experience the most pain." 

 As humans, our feelings are paramount for us. The world likes to tell us that how we feel about things is THE most important thing in any situation. This has led to the creation and permeation of casual life philosophies such as, "no bad vibes," and "what's truth for you is not always truth for me." 
However, as Christians, there is only one standard for truth-the Bible, and only one thing in this world that can not be swayed by feelings- God and his righteous character. 

 This can be VERY difficult for me to remember. 

 I am a highly emotional person. I feel deeply. Additionally, I cannot feel things passively- my feelings must be acted upon. 
Because I feel deeply and instinctively want to act on these feelings, waiting through a season of pain is pretty much the worst case scenario for my life.

 And that is exactly where I am right now. 

James 1:2-5 says,"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." 
Pain is a sure guarantee of this life. However, as Christians, glory through this pain is also guaranteed. "The trying of your faith worketh patience...let patience HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MAY BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, WANTING NOTHING." 
It is INCREDIBLY difficult to be patient in your pain. But it is in this patience that we are made whole. 
I have to give myself over to this pain. I must endure it patiently. I must endure it rightly and hold on to the truth that God is working even in this pain, and that if I can just WAIT A LITTLE LONGER, I will see the Glory of His Plan. 
So here I am, Lord. I'm hurting, but I'm waiting a little longer. 
I will see your glory revealed even in this. 

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