The Most Important Trait
Wednesday October 25, 2023
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
In the verse above, the Apostle James makes a very strong claim. He says that if we allow PATIENCE to take over, we will be perfect and entire, wanting NOTHING.
Wow.
But what really is this virtue that James says is super powerful in our Christian walk?
The Greek word translated ‘patience’ in this passage is the word ‘hupomone’.
Here is its meaning, according to the Greek-English dictionary.
1) endurance, perseverance
1a) the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.
Does this sound like the English word ‘patience’? You will agree that it doesn’t. It actually sounds like another word psychologists use: grit.
Grit is defined as “perseverance and passion for long-term goals”.
Phsycologists have observed that people high in grit are able to maintain their determination and motivation over long periods despite experiences with failure and adversity.
They actually concluded that grit is a better predictor of success than intellectual talent (IQ), based on various studies.
The fact is, when we come as babies, we are all soft and even weak in different ways. James 1 is telling us that challenges that we don’t complain or feel bad about will give us a deep strength and grit of perseverance and endurance, and that this is the most important trait to success in Christianity and in life.
So he says, Be joyful when things you don’t like come to you. Paul said all things work out for your good, as long as you are not dead – Romans 8:28. If it’s a nice thing, then that’s great. If it’s not nice, it will only make you stronger, more focused, smarter, and a better person.
Count it all joy and let grit grow in you!
CONFESSION
I count it all joy when I go through challenges. I am strong in the face of every situation. I know that no matter what, everything will work out for my good, just like the Word says. I am full of grit and strength in my inner man, and I am moving forward and winning in every part of my life, in Jesus mighty Name.
MORE LIGHT (MEDITATE AND PRAY WITH THESE)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
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God bless you.
