7Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:7-9
While city dwellers may not understand, farmers accept and value the weather whatever it brings. When it is scalding hot, they thankfully work in the fields, and if a brief rain happens, they enjoy the cooling rain and continue their work. We must approach our lives in the same manner.
Whatever situation comes our way, do not focus on whether it is sunny or rainy. Do not resent it if it is a difficulty or be glad when it is good. Accept it regardless as something that will help build in us a more complete and perfect faith. And know that it is part of the path designed by the Lord
specifically for each of us in our development to build eternal salvation.
Without demons to overcome or challenges to defeat, we cannot grow our faith. No matter how righteous a life we live, it does not mean our lives are free of hardship. Contrarily, no matter how much we may sin, our lives will have times of sunlight. Many believe that there is a cause and effect relationship between the good or bad situations we encounter and our actions. This is not true. Whatever comes our way, whether it is an act of nature or something created by the actions of others, we must accept it without resentment.
We have two choices. We can seek only situations that are advantageous to us considering only our personal benefit, or we accept all situations without resentment and face them with God. If a situation we face is unfair, difficult, or sad, we should not pray for it to be changed or compare it to others’ fates. We should not draw incorrect conclusions about how God may feel about us. Whatever life situation we face, we must not resent it or complain in any way. Doing so brings judgment upon us.
There are an uncountable number of things that can happen to us. But we must believe that the specific situations which God has designed are the best for each of us. Never wish for something different. Rather, put all your focus into facing it righteously and acting according to God’s truth to build your salvation, growing more perfect in your faith. Be patient and endure.
There are many examples of faithful people who have suffered but overcame to hold true to their faith. Job endured many troubles. In the shortsighted view, what happened to Job is terrible and awful. But if you look at it in the long view, Job’s children died but were sent to heaven. Job had more children. He gained more wealth. More importantly, Job patiently endured and grew in his understanding. Just as insects that transform from living in the water to flying in the air, through hardship and struggle, we gain patience and endurance to become more complete in our understanding to make us useful in this world and beyond. So do not
grumble at difficulties or resent troubles. Consider them as ways for us to develop and grow more perfect in our faith.
Later in the book of James, chapter 5, verse 12, it states, “ But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” Here we must learn that, whether it is the smallest situation or the greatest challenge, we must do what is right with all our effort and not do what is wrong. Do not be intimidated by the size of a great challenge or overlook a small situation. Everything must be faced faithfully with God. Repent what you do wrong and remove it. If you do not have the power to overcome, then patiently endure. Continue to be righteous in all you do.
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GOD FIRST 
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