You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  (ESV)

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  (NIV)

You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.  (NLT)

Dive Deeper:

In the book of James, the reader is challenged to stand firm and endure amid trials and challenges (James 1:2-4). Our broken world is filled with difficulties and storms that every believer will encounter (John 16:33, Matthew 7:24-27). While the specifics of the trials will change for each individual, we are all guaranteed trouble in this world.

In James 5:8-9, James encourages us to be patient in these trials and as we wait until the Lord’s coming (James 5:7). Patience is among the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) but does not come easy to most of us! I write as one who (patiently) waits for growth in this area of my walk with the Lord.

No one is a stranger to waiting and patience is required of us in the small and big things of life. I’ve waited for decades for my college basketball team to do well. I’ve at times impatiently waited for quicker sanctification in sin struggles. Some of us wait for years for a spouse or child, or for a spouse or child to change. We look around and wonder when (or even if) the world will change for the better. A lack of patience plagues so many—all day, every day.

Mostly, however, we wait for Jesus to return and make things right again. This is where we face the greatest challenge, because the waiting leads to frustration, grumbling, and conflict with others. It’s interesting how our lack of patience with the Lord plays out in relationships. James says as we wait, we take out our anger and impatience on other people while we beg the Lord to make things better. And what’s even scarier and concerning, is that James tells us we will be held accountable for how we handle the waiting. Our Judge stands at the door and sees it all (James 5:9).

How Do We Wait Well?

How can we strengthen our “patience muscles” as we anticipate the coming of the Lord?

1. We wait with the knowledge that Jesus is coming soon. James 5:8 says the Lord’s coming is near. While none of us know the day or moment of His return (Matthew 24:36), we wait with confidence that it will happen. This confidence ought to lead to peace in the waiting.

2. Don’t take your frustrations out on each other. As followers of Christ, we know our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), so let’s stop tearing each other down. This is what non-Christians do. Love and encourage one another daily instead.

3. Go to the gym, literally and figuratively! Take care of yourself in every way (physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, relationally) so that you can better establish your heart and stand firm (James 5:8). As we wait, we stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13).

4. Thank the Lord He is not slow in keeping His promise. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The hope of His imminent (any moment) return should motivate us to live patiently now while actively sharing the Gospel with others who don’t know the Lord.

Written by Scott Kedersha