Like Farmers, Prophets, and Job

Patience; everyone wants it, but no one wants to be put in situations where it's required of us. We like the idea of patience, but it would be wonderful if we could have more without ever really needing to use it. Life is hard. Most of you didn't need to read that to know that, but just in case it's nice to hear someone else say it, let me say it again: life is hard. A job is lost. A child gets sick. A friend betrays you. A relationship fails. The list goes on, and on top of all that, we as Christians have the added challenge of knowing there will be times when the source of our hardship is directly connected to our faith in God! As often as troubles come our way, you'd think by now we'd know how to 'roll with the punches', but sometimes life hits us harder than we're prepared for.

So, what do you do when the punches thrown feel heavier than you feel you can handle? In James 5, we're offered some wisdom from 3 unexpected sources - from the farmer, from the Old Testament prophets, and from a man named Job. Though each example is unique, each one offers us deep wisdom on how to navigate hardship, suffering, and disappointment with faith, courage and patience.