“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” (James 5:8-9)
As we look forward to the Coming of Jesus, many of us tend to become impatient with other people as well as with our own suffering and pain. The Apostle James exhorts us to have patience. Earlier he exhorted his brethren to steadfast living and holiness. He knew that living the godly life would mean great sacrifice and humility for them for they lived in a world filled with evil allurements as well as persecution and indiscriminate and sudden violence. The qualities of patience and humility would be difficult to demonstrate in the face of the temptation to strike back with violence or compromise the faith by succumbing to the world and its ways.
We face the same temptations today especially at Christmas a time which tends to bring out the worst in some people. This is because the focus of the holiday is not as a Holy Day or holy season. It is a season for overindulgence, gross materialism, and self-centeredness. This is all confirmed by the incivility and greed we see demonstrated on Black Friday and the days leading up to and following it, as well as the plethora of holiday ads and films we see on TV and the internet. There is little or no focus on Jesus who is, after all, the reason we have Christmas.
Temptations, intemperance, and lack of patience are not by any means confined to the Christmas season or to those who do not know Jesus. Many believers think it fine to lash out and avenge themselves on those who abuse them or do not conform to their way of thinking. Still more adopt the ways of the worldly culture around them so as not to miss out on all they feel entitled to as well as to avoid being ostracized or persecuted. And all of us struggle to live the life of righteousness to which we have been called. We all tend to be impatient with other people, to lash out at those who do not agree with us, to grumble against God or doubt Him when we are in the midst of pain, loss, suffering, tribulations, and persecution. James exhorts us to take comfort from the example of Job and trust that God is using our trials and pain for His glory and to help us grow into the image of His Son Jesus. He gives us the strength to love those who we do not like, to live in patience and peace with all. He will not fail to be with us in our pain and suffering. He will enable us to endure and to be satisfied with our daily bread.