A strand of
pearls is a beautiful sought after piece of jewelry. Pearls come from oysters. A
small irritant, like a grain of sand, gets in the oyster. Unable to get rid of
the grain of sand the oyster covers it with a substance in an attempt to lessen
the irritation. Problem is that the irritant keeps growing and the oyster keeps
covering it with more substances, changing this small irritant into a beautiful
lustrous pearl. If it weren’t for the suffering, there would be no pearl.
The Christian
life can be challenging. Due to the many obstacles and trials Christians
encounter, we need to “let patience work.” James wrote the following about the
need to let patience work: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various
trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let
patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking
nothing” (James 1:2-4). Notice the statement: “…let patience have its perfect
work.” James informs Christians that we need patience when facing various kinds
of trials. “Patience” means “endurance.” Christians may have to cope with the
criticism of non-Christians, monetary loss, family problems, failing health,
and many other trials. Patience is the virtue needed in such times.
The passage
teaches that Christians must “…let patience have its perfect work.” If we do
this, then we will be “perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” This sounds
appealing, so how do we let patience work? First, consider that we do not let
patience work when we hinder or interrupt the process of enduring trials. When
facing challenges, we may feel tempted to panic. Sometimes people try to run
from problems, and escape through drug abuse and alcohol. Others may turn to
illicit relationships with the opposite sex to find comfort. However, turning
to these things to escape problems only creates more problems.
What, then, is
the solution? How does one allow “…patience to have its perfect work”? There
are three basic things we can do to let patience work: 1) Do not try to squirm
out of trials. Since trails present an opportunity to gain experience and grow,
we should face them. Rather than running from problems, the psalmist wrote: “Be
still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be
exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). Just be still. 2) Trust that God will
work things out in His own time. Trials will not last forever. Rather, than
rushing God, we should be patient, listen, and learn lessons as life is
happening (James 1:19-20). 3) We should pray that God would use this trial to
make us stronger. Prayer is an act of submission, showing that the one praying
relies on God (James 1:6-7).
[Romans 5:3-5] There
is more we can learn from the way pearls are formed. The apostle Paul writes in
his letter to the Romans, “…we also glory in tribulations, knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character,
hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” When we have suffering
or trials in our lives, we need to turn them into something beautiful. We need
to persevere through whatever headache, pain, or trial in order to turn it into
the beautiful hope that can be seen in the Spirit God has given us. So, the
next time you are faced with a frustrating grain of sand in your life, instead
of complaining, work hard, through the Holy Spirit, to turn it into a beautiful
pearl. By remaining calm, trusting God, and praying to God, one allows patience
to work. After patience completes its work, then one will be “…perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.” So, in trials, let patience work! “Commit your works to the
Lord, And your thoughts will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). All things are
possible when we journey with God.
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