James 5:8, New International Version

“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

Patience isn’t just about waiting—it’s about how we wait. In James 5:7–12, we’re reminded to be patient until the coming of the Lord. James uses the image of a farmer waiting for the early and late rains, trusting that the harvest will come in its season. That kind of patience doesn’t come naturally to most of us. Life is filled with uncertainty, hardship, and situations we can’t control. But in these verses, James points us to the kind of endurance that honors God, strengthens our hearts, and steadies our relationships.

One of the key challenges James addresses is our tendency to grumble against each other when life feels delayed or unfair. Isn’t that true? When things don’t go the way we hoped, it’s easy to take our frustration out on the people closest to us. But James reminds us that the Judge is standing at the door. In other words, God sees it all. Our calling isn’t just to endure circumstances—it’s to endure well, with grace toward one another and trust in God’s timing.

James points to the prophets as examples of patience in suffering. They spoke God’s truth in difficult times, often with little reward in the moment. Yet their faithfulness stands as a testimony to us. And then there’s Job—a man who suffered deeply, yet held fast to his trust in the Lord. James says we’ve seen the outcome of Job’s life: the Lord is compassionate and merciful. That’s the anchor for our patience—not our strength, but God’s character.

The passage ends with a strong word about integrity. “Let your ‘yes’ be yes, and your ‘no,’ no.” In seasons of waiting, honesty and humility matter. Whether in our commitments to others or in our private prayers before God, He is honored when we live with sincerity and truth. So whatever you’re waiting for today—whether it’s healing, direction, provision, or reconciliation—be encouraged. The Lord is near. And those who wait on Him will never be put to shame.

(All scripture quotations in this article are from the New International Version)