Patience in Suffering
James 5 : 7 - 11
We are talking about the patience of suffering, and interestingly, James uses the metaphor of a farmer who waits for the fruit or crops. At first glance, these don’t seem to represent suffering. The fruit of the earth is not suffering in itself, but it involves a process of growth. When we talk about suffering, we are expected to grow—just like the fruit of the earth. However, not everyone who suffers automatically grows. Some people may become cold or bitter. Others, after overcoming suffering, may become proud or arrogant—also showing no sign of true growth. So, this metaphor of the farmer points to something precious and valuable being awaited: the fruit of the earth. In the same way, the patience we are called to have in suffering has a purpose. It is not aimless. It is toward something valuable.
In verse 8, James writes, “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” This introduces a kind of relativization of time. We may ask, “Where is the Lord? It’s been over 2,000 years.” Did the apostles misinterpret the timing of His coming? But that’s not the point. The point is: the more we grow, the more mature we should become, and the closer we should draw to God. If God hasn’t come yet, then we are the ones who need to come closer to Him.
As we mature, we begin to feel that time is fleeting. An immature person tends to waste time—sleeping all day, playing around—because they believe they still have plenty of time. In contrast, mature people understand that time is short. Unfortunately, many only realize this when they are near death, and by then, it’s too late to serve God.
There’s a story about David Livingstone’s death. A man who had known him wept bitterly, prompting others to ask why. He explained that, in their youth, he and Livingstone had both surrendered their lives to serve God. Livingstone followed through and went to Africa as a missionary. But this man didn’t. He didn’t commit to his calling and instead wasted his time. His immaturity blinded him to the brevity of life and the importance of God-given opportunities.
Verse 8 reminds us that there’s not much time left: “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” We don’t know exactly when Jesus will return—even Jesus Himself said only the Father knows. But understanding that time is short is more important than knowing the exact date. We live in a time that can be condensed or stretched.
As an illustration: after Sunday service, people often stay longer to chat and catch up. But imagine if an earthquake suddenly struck. People would rush out immediately. That “normal” time of socializing could be condensed into a short time. This is how we should view time in light of the Lord’s return. If we don’t live with this awareness, we may miss our moment. But if we do, we won’t waste our time—and we won’t grumble (verse 9).
People who criticize often don’t participate in doing anything. On the other hand, those who are actively serving usually don’t have the energy or time to criticize—they’re too busy working. So, the more someone grumbles or criticizes, the more it may indicate they aren’t engaged. James warns in verse 9 that such people will be judged.
In verse 10, James gives an example of patience in suffering: the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. From the Old Testament onward, true prophets suffered and were persecuted for God’s name. God placed them in those situations to face challenges. James is encouraging his congregation to position themselves like the prophets. It’s natural to grumble in hard times, but true patience can only be formed through suffering.
Verse 11 says, “Blessed are those who remained steadfast.” When we’re told to remain steadfast, we’re reminded of our covenantal relationship with God. When we love someone, we can remain patient with them—even in hard times. For example, if a family member is sick and lashes out, we stay patient because we love them. That’s a steadfast relationship.
The steadfastness James refers to isn’t just about personal virtue—it’s about a relationship with God. That’s why James points to Job. Job wasn’t perfect. He got angry at his circumstances. But what set him apart from his friends was his willingness to keep talking to God. In his suffering, he may have lost patience, but he still sought to understand God’s purpose. That’s what true steadfastness looks like.
It’s often hard to make sense of life when we’re suffering. Sometimes, understanding doesn’t come right away—it can take years. In Job’s story, we see that he humbled himself before God more than once, and even then, he didn’t fully grasp God’s plan. What mattered was that he surrendered the attitude of “knowing everything” and simply submitted to God. Job didn’t gain a full understanding of why he suffered. What he gained was a deeper relationship with a compassionate and merciful God. Life isn’t just about understanding everything. Even Jesus didn’t know when He would return. He wasn’t disturbed by that uncertainty. Instead, He focused on His relationship with the Father and surrendered everything to Him.
We don’t need to have all the answers. What we need is a deep, abiding relationship with a God who is compassionate and merciful. That’s what makes us steadfast. We may not know when our suffering will end, when healing will come, or how God will restore things. But those are not the most important things in the Christian life. What’s truly important is knowing the heart of a compassionate and merciful God. And it’s beautiful to realize that, through suffering, we can become more receptive to His mercy. When life is easy and joyful, we often struggle to understand God’s compassion. But in hardship, we can learn to experience it more deeply—and extend it more freely to others. (G.N.S.)