there are lots of benefits…

you and i need to be patient because GOD rewards patience.  james 5.11a (niv), as you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.  

notice the word, blessed.  the second half of job’s life was more blessed than the first half.  GOD doubled everything he had.  it pays to be patient.  there are all kinds of rewards.  your character grows, you get along with people better, you’re more happy, you reach your goals.  there are lots of benefits of being patient.  GOD rewards it.  you’ll be honored by others.  they’ll say, “he’s a patient person.” 

but not just on this side of eternity, but on the other side you’re going to be rewarded.  matthew 5.11-12 (niv), blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME.  rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

when people put you down, when they criticize you, be patient, because there’s going to be a reward in heaven. 

it is our natural tendency – one of the strongest desires in life – that when you’re hurt, you want to get even.  you want to retaliate, get revenge, take matters into your own hands.  when you get criticized, you want to criticize back.  if you get insulted, you want to insult back. 

revenge, retaliation are the natural thing – but that’s the opposite of patience.  james says that the next time someone criticizes you, before you strike back, think about this, is it worth giving up the reward i’m going to have in heaven?  i’m going to enjoy that a whole lot longer than the temporary pleasure of revenge. 

you need to be patient because GOD’s going to reward patience.

just a thought from the front porch…