Have you ever wished you were more patient? Most of us would say yes! But how can you come to have a calm and peaceful heart? And what can we do to strengthen this attribute over time?

Think of patience as a muscle that grows stronger with exercise. Difficulties, then, are opportunities to develop it. Our instinct is to cry out to God in bewilderment when tribulation comes: we blame, we resist, we complain. But instead, we should say, Thank you, Father, it is time to become more patient.

James exhorts us to look to trials as a reason for joy, but we often fail to do so. To humans, praising the Lord in the midst of tribulation does not seem normal. However, this makes sense when we hold fast to the promise that God works for good through hardship (Romans 8:28). We do not wait in vain, for we can praise Him for the spiritual fruit He will produce in us.

Accepting hardship as a means of growth is a radical concept, but the children of God have reason to rejoice. Tribulation strengthens our patience, affirms us in the promises of God, and teaches us to wait for His time.

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to rejoice in You, even in the midst of tribulations. Thank You that the difficult times in my life have served to strengthen my patience and I am learning to wait on You. Waiting on You will never be a waste of time, because in the waiting, I can choose to use that time to strengthen our relationship, grow closer to You, and be more intentional about the time I spend alone with You. Thank You in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

1.      James 1:1-4 (RVR1960).

The Encounter for today was written by: Rosina N.