“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 NKJV).
Like children in the back seat of a car on their way to a fun place, we ask, God, are we there yet? Our faith stirs excitement. We trust the best is yet to come and believe in our glorious destination. However, impatience tries to steal our joy. As we understand that trials along the way increase our faith, we learn to deal with the bumps on the road.
The back seat can be uncomfortable, and over time, makes us restless. We fight doubt and weariness when traffic impedes progress. When traffic moves slowly and other cars pass us, we become impatient. When the car breaks down, we combat discouragement and depression.
Patience is the ability to endure trials without being annoyed or anxious. This endurance, James tells us, is working to bring us to maturity. He tells us to let it work, and that is what we do when we close our eyes in the back seat, pray, worship and trust God, from glory to glory!