Be Patient

Monday - March 15th

Devotionals from the Book of James

Scripture to Read Today: James 5:7-12

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Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.

James 5:7

Eleven-year-old Warren Buffett bought his first stocks – six shares of Cities Service (now known as CITGO – an Oil company) at $38 per share. He bought three shares for himself and three for his sister Doris. He spent all of the money he had at the time on those six shares.

As an 11-year-old, Buffett practiced little to no diversification in his portfolio. It was a practice he continued throughout his investment career. The stock price fell from $38 to $27 but soon went to $40 per share. Buffett sold the stocks he and his sister held at $40, giving them a combined profit of $12. Within the next few years, the Cities Service stocks skyrocketed from $40 per share to $202 per share.

Warren Buffett has often referenced his experience with the Cities Service stocks as an early and essential lesson in patience when investing. He regularly points out that waiting over time can produce excellent results. Patience is the key!

In our spiritual lives, the same principle is true. Patience makes a huge difference. We often get ourselves in deep trouble when we impatiently rush forward with a decision. We add agony to our suffering when we throw in the towel as we go through trials. Our lack of patience in life robs us of the healing, help, and hope God wants us to experience as we hold on tightly and patiently to His hand.

James tells his readers in James 5:7 to "Be patient." In the Greek language of his day, he could have chosen two different words that would then be translated as patience. One word speaks of living under the weight of life's pressures. The other word, the one James uses in this verse, means to live under pressure over a long time.

As we live in the ups and downs of this world, patience over time is critical for our survival. The more we walk with God, the more the fruit of the spirit flows from our lives. Patience over time is one piece of fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Learn the lesson Warren Buffett learned early in life; waiting patiently brings great reward.

If you have felt like throwing in the towel, rushing forward with a decision, or forcing a resolution to unresolved circumstances, take a deep breath and wait. Waiting in life is not easy. Waiting for God's answers to our prayers can be so challenging. But, patiently waiting in life can develop you more into the image of Christ. It can also bring you peace, joy, and meaning in life.

Most of us need to develop patience over time. We need to wait on God's timing and God's path forward.