Patience and Perseverance

[York Rilley]

Are patience and perseverance one in the same?

Consider the book of James 1:2-4

NIV
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

and...

NKJV:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Much like the saying “God helps those who help themselves,” it is quite possible that being patient is more akin to persevering. Not necessarily suffering needlessly but more just being a strong and faithful believer without a doubt.

At gotQuestions.org their article “What does the Bible say about patience?” tells us the following:

“Although most people consider patience to be a passive waiting or gentle tolerance, most of the Greek words translated “patience” in the New Testament (KJV) are active, robust words. Consider, for example, Hebrews 12:1: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Does one run a race by passively waiting for slow-pokes or gently tolerating cheaters? Certainly not! The word translated patience in this verse means endurance. A Christian runs the race patiently by persevering through difficulties in hope of heaven. In the Bible, patience is persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled.”

Next time you tell someone they are trying your patience then perhaps you are complimenting you both. With maturity we strengthen our patience. We persevere, we endure and through it all we have faith and are rewarded for not doubting.

With this new perspective do you find that perhaps where you thought you were failing as being patient, that now perhaps you were actually succeeding as a persevering Christian?

When you consider being patient what first comes to mind? Are you waiting for something? Are you wanting and actively going after something?

[Liveson]

Thanks York for a good sharing on patience and perseverence. But may I ask my fellow members on this forum to clarify on the popular quote used, "God helps those wo help themselves," is this biblical? How can God help somebody who has already helped himself/herself? I am not critical, but I have often found this to be misplaced. May I have a wider and deep spiritual view on this saying from anyone, anywhere.

[Lance]

Sometimes God's best answer is "No" or "Not Now". Some things in life we can change/influence, many things we can not.

[Albert]

Very nice
you enlightened me...

[Ibarra Buzon]

Patience is needed by Faithful Christians in these endtimes.

[Dale]

I love that passage in James, and I always say to note that it does NOT say IF you fall into trials, but WHEN you fall in to trials.......meaning that we WILL have trials and suffering in the Christian life!!!
But, not to worry, God never said HE would save us FROM trials & suffering, but rather THROUGH them...And God IS faithful to keep His Word!!!