Embracing Active Patience: Trusting God in Waiting

Devotional

Day 1: Active Patience: Establishing Your Heart

Biblical patience is not passive; it is an active, intentional process of preparing your heart for what God will do. Just as a farmer prepares the soil, gathers help, and anticipates the rains, so too are we called to establish our hearts by seeking the Holy Spirit’s help, asking for support from others, and intentionally surrendering our will to God. This preparation is not about willpower or self-reliance, but about inviting God to work in us, so that when the “rains” of life come, our spiritual crops are ready to grow. [07:40]

James 5:7-8 (ESV)
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to actively prepare your heart for God’s work, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit’s help in that preparation today?

Day 2: Surrendering Control: Trusting God’s Will

True patience requires surrender—letting go of our desire to control outcomes and instead trusting God’s will, even when it’s difficult. Like Job and the prophets, we are called to remain steadfast, not grumbling or seeking revenge, but yielding our hearts to God’s purposes. Surrender is not a one-time event but a continual act, especially in suffering, where we must choose to trust God’s compassion and mercy over our own plans or sense of justice. [15:54]

James 5:10-11 (ESV)
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Reflection: Where are you tempted to take control or seek your own justice, and what would it look like to surrender that area to God’s will today?

Day 3: Trusting God in Suffering

When suffering comes, it is natural to question whether God will provide or restore what we have lost. Yet, God’s promises remain true even in the hardest seasons. Like the exiles who heard Jeremiah’s words, we are reminded that God knows the plans He has for us—plans for our welfare and hope. Trusting God in suffering means believing that He is powerful enough to keep His promises, even when we cannot see the outcome, and bringing our honest fears and doubts to Him. [19:21]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Reflection: What is one fear or doubt you are carrying in your current season of waiting or suffering, and how can you bring it honestly before God in prayer today?

Day 4: Lament and Honest Prayer

Jesus models for us the power of lament—bringing our deepest questions, pain, and even complaints to God in honest, vocal prayer. Lament is not a lack of faith, but a biblical way to process suffering, ask boldly for God’s help, and ultimately turn to trust in His steadfast love. Like the psalmist and Jesus in Gethsemane, we are invited to go to God, make our complaint, ask boldly, and then turn and trust, knowing that God welcomes our honest hearts. [27:23]

Psalm 13:1-6 (ESV)
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Reflection: What is one honest question or complaint you need to bring to God today, and how can you practice turning that lament into trust?

Day 5: Gratitude in All Circumstances

Gratitude is the foundation that allows trust and surrender to grow and stick, even in the midst of trials. Giving thanks in all circumstances is not about denying hardship, but about recognizing God’s presence and goodness in every season. When we choose gratitude, we open ourselves to God’s peace and allow steadfastness to have its full effect, making us mature and complete. Gratitude transforms suffering into an opportunity for growth and witness, both for ourselves and for those around us. [29:29]

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: Think of a current hardship or trial—what is one specific thing you can thank God for in the midst of it today?

Sermon Summary

Waiting is a universal experience, but how we wait reveals much about our hearts and our trust in God. Drawing from James 5:7-12, the call is to embrace a biblical patience that is both active and steadfast, not passive or controlling. Like a farmer who prepares the soil and anticipates the rains, we are to establish our hearts, preparing ourselves spiritually for what God will do, even when the timing is uncertain. This preparation is not something we can accomplish by sheer willpower or by relying solely on others; it is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to surrender and trust.

Surrender is at the core of biblical patience. It is not a one-time act but a continual posture—repenting, turning from our own ways, and yielding to God’s will. The struggle to surrender is real, especially when life is uncertain or painful. James points to the prophets and to Job as examples of steadfastness in suffering, reminding us that God’s purposes are compassionate and merciful, even when we cannot see the outcome. The temptation to grumble or to take control—whether through words or inner attitudes—undermines our witness and our own spiritual growth.

Trusting God in suffering is not about suppressing our questions or pain. Jesus himself, in the Garden of Gethsemane, lamented before the Father, asking if there was another way, yet ultimately surrendered: “Not my will, but yours be done.” This honest, vocal, and communal trust is not a sign of weakness but of deep faith. Lament, as modeled in the Psalms, is a biblical way to bring our complaints, requests, and ultimately our trust to God.

Gratitude is the glue that helps our trust and surrender stick. Giving thanks in all circumstances, even in suffering, transforms our waiting from mere endurance to spiritual growth. It is through gratitude that we can move beyond simply surviving trials to thriving in them, becoming examples of steadfastness for others. As we approach communion and reflect on our own hearts, the invitation is to ask God to search us, to reveal where we need to grow in patience, surrender, trust, and gratitude, and to let the Holy Spirit do the work only he can do.

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Key Takeaways

1. Active Patience Requires Preparation and Community Biblical patience is not passive; it involves actively preparing our hearts, much like a farmer prepares for the rains. This preparation includes seeking help from others and, most importantly, relying on the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength. True spiritual readiness is cultivated in community and through intentional action, not isolation or apathy. [06:39]
2. Surrender Is a Continual Posture, Not a One-Time Event Surrendering to God is not just the initial act of faith but an ongoing process. We are called to repeatedly lay down our will, especially when tempted to take control or grumble in our waiting. This continual surrender is the foundation for establishing our hearts and experiencing the steadfastness that James commends. [09:58]
3. Steadfastness in Suffering Is Rooted in Trust, Not Willpower The examples of the prophets, Job, and ultimately Jesus show that enduring suffering with patience is not about gritting our teeth but about trusting God’s character and promises. When we try to control outcomes or seek revenge, we undermine this trust. Instead, we are invited to let go, remembering that God alone is just and merciful. [15:54]
4. Lament Is a Biblical Pathway to Deeper Trust Bringing our honest complaints, questions, and pain to God is not a lack of faith but an act of trust. Jesus lamented in the garden, and the Psalms are filled with laments that move from complaint to trust. Practicing lament allows us to process suffering in God’s presence, leading us to deeper surrender and hope. [26:15]
5. Gratitude Transforms Suffering and Makes Growth Stick Giving thanks in all circumstances is not denial of pain but a declaration of trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness. Gratitude enables us to move beyond cycles of resurrendering to a place where our trust and patience become enduring. It is through gratitude that we can thrive in trials, becoming examples of steadfastness and hope for others. [30:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:56] - Personal Story: Waiting and Weakness
[03:33] - James’ Three Audiences and Biblical Patience
[04:32] - The Dangers of Poor Waiting
[05:20] - Establishing Our Hearts: The Farmer Analogy
[06:39] - Preparing for Spiritual Growth
[08:21] - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Surrender
[09:04] - Repentance and Surrender: Lessons from Children
[11:17] - The Active Component of Patience
[12:56] - Steadfastness and the Example of Job
[14:42] - The Temptation to Control and Take Revenge
[16:37] - Trusting God in Suffering: Gethsemane
[19:58] - Jesus’ Perfect Patience and Our Mediator
[25:10] - Lament: Honest Prayer in Suffering
[28:42] - Gratitude in Hardship: A Personal Example
[30:53] - Joy, Gratitude, and Enduring Growth
[33:08] - Communion: Practicing Grateful Surrender
[34:35] - Praying for Patience and Gratitude for Others

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

James 5:7-12 (ESV) — 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Observation Questions

What analogy does James use to describe biblical patience, and what does it teach us about how we should wait? ([05:20])
According to James, what are some dangers or negative behaviors that can come from waiting poorly? ([04:32])
Who does James point to as examples of steadfastness in suffering, and what do we learn from their stories? ([11:53])
What does James say about grumbling and taking control during times of waiting? ([14:42])

Interpretation Questions

Why does James compare patience to the work of a farmer preparing for rain? What does this say about the kind of action and preparation God expects from us while we wait? ([06:39])
The sermon says surrender is not a one-time event but a continual posture. Why is it so hard to keep surrendering, especially when life is uncertain or painful? ([09:58])
How does the example of Job and the prophets help us understand the connection between suffering, trust, and God’s compassion? ([12:56])
The sermon talks about lament as a biblical way to process pain and questions. How is lament different from grumbling or complaining, and why is it important for our faith? ([25:10])

Application Questions

The sermon describes two unhealthy ways of waiting: being apathetic (doing nothing) and being controlling (trying to force outcomes). Which of these do you tend to fall into, and what is one step you could take this week to practice active, biblical patience instead? ([04:32])
Think about a current situation where you are waiting for something to change. What would it look like for you to “establish your heart” and prepare spiritually, like the farmer in James 5? ([05:20])
The sermon says that surrender is a continual posture, not just a one-time decision. Is there an area in your life where you keep taking back control instead of surrendering to God? What would it look like to surrender again today? ([09:58])
When you face suffering or uncertainty, do you find it easy or hard to trust God’s character and promises? What specific doubts or fears make it difficult for you to trust, and how could you bring those honestly to God in prayer? ([18:27])
The sermon encourages us to practice lament—bringing our honest complaints and questions to God. Is there something you need to lament before God right now? How could you do this in prayer or with someone you trust? ([25:10])
Gratitude is described as the “glue” that helps trust and surrender stick. What is one thing you can thank God for in your current season of waiting, even if it’s hard? How might practicing gratitude change your perspective? ([30:53])
The sermon ends with a challenge to ask God to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24). Are you willing to pray this “dangerous prayer” and ask God to show you where you need to grow in patience, surrender, trust, or gratitude? What do you hope God might reveal? ([33:08])

Sermon Clips

Biblical patience is both active and steadfast. The first part of biblical patience is the active component. Let's start with verse 8 where James is going to give us clearly what is the need As I said before we've got to see the PHP of 21, let's watch 10. Let's go first and see the PHP of 21, let's start with 2 .5. Let's start with the Tooie and the kingdom of 21 and 22. Let's start with the Yup. How does it happen, and why are we doing this? Verse 8 reads, you also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. What is James telling us? Be patient. It's not a suggestion. It's a command. How are we supposed to do this? By establishing our hearts. It's active. Why are we doing this? For the coming of the Lord, and because of their witness, as we just discussed. [00:05:08] (43 seconds) #CommandedPatience

We surrendered when we first asked Christ into our lives, but did we stay surrendered? Thanks, Lord, for the jobs. I got it from here. Two layoffs later, I'm still saying the same prayers. It's hard to stay surrendered. I think of the sermon that Matt preached a few weeks ago where he talked about the preacher who kept saying the same sermon over and over and over and over again. Find the congregation. came up and said, hey, when are you going to preach a different sermon? And the preacher said, when we apply the first one. To establish our hearts, we have to keep surrendering and obey the Holy Spirit, which in verse 9 in our passage actually paints a picture for us. [00:10:15] (46 seconds) #PerfectPatienceInSuffering

So their tongues and ours are tattling on our impatient hearts that need to be established and set with surrendering with the help of the Holy Spirit so our spiritual crops can be watered. Awesome, James, Lord, I get it. The active component of biblical patience requires surrender. Requires surrender. I don't surrender well. That's okay. James isn't done with us yet. [00:11:17] (30 seconds) #TrustOverControl

Millions of sin times billions of people poured out onto one God man's shoulders. Family, I have no idea what hard suffering is. What I'm giving you today is a first world problem, but what Christ endured? None of us have suffered like that. While I don't know what your pain and suffering looks like or what it is or what you're going through, Christ does. [00:21:54] (35 seconds) #LamentWithTrust

Who do we go to before our patient runs out when we can't figure out how to trust and surrender? We go to the only one who knows us inside and out, God. But we don't go alone. We take the one who took our place, transferring our sins to him. This and other things made him fully and uniquely qualified because it was fully man and fully God to take the prayers of a disobedient child to a loving, holy, and righteous father. He became our mediator. [00:22:30] (39 seconds) #GratitudeGrowsPatience

Lament has four components. The first component is go to God. Verse one, how long, O Lord? The second component, make our complaint, or in this case, complaints. Four times, how long? Then we ask boldly. In verse three, consider, consider me, answer me, help me. We can ask boldly. And then finally, the fourth component, turn and repent. Verse five and six, sorry, turn and trust. Jesus does this for us in the garden, not my will, but yours be done. [00:26:53] (44 seconds)

``Give thanks in all circumstances. What kind of impact could we have if we were like Jesus and waited actively in supernatural steadfastness while preparing ourselves for the new kingdom? Could we not just survive but thrive while our families and nation are scattered? Could we be an example for generations of steadfastness? Could we save a marriage? Could we be given and wholly receive a peace that surpasses all understanding, even when we don't understand what's going on? Yes, we can. And yes, they did. Through God. through his power, completed in Christ Jesus, given to us through the Holy Spirit, in biblical community with other believers. [00:29:35] (52 seconds)

James says it this way. We actually started this entire series this way. James chapter 1, verse 2 through 4. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let the steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete while lacking in nothing. James starts this whole book with a command for gratitude. Count it all joy. [00:30:26] (35 seconds)

Growth sticks with gratitude. It sticks. We don't have to keep going back and resurrendering in base one all over again every single time. Are there times for surrender? Absolutely. Are there times for a degree baseline? Absolutely. But we don't have to keep going back and forth. going to square one each time. Our trust, our surrender can stick and it can grow. If we are willing to be grateful for the suffering only God controls, that drives us to trust in a future only God can see, that helps us surrender to God's will and then receive a patience that surpasses all understanding. [00:31:48] (47 seconds)

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