"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near" (James 5:7-8, NIV).
A few weeks ago, I placed a Kroger order with a variety of fresh fruits—apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and pineapple. When I cut the pineapple, juice oozed out from every corner. It gave me a bit of a fight while I peeled it, but I knew that one sweet bite would be worth it.
When I took a bite, however, I was sadly disappointed. The fruit looked ripe, but it was far from ready. Instead of soft sweetness, I was met by a complex and sour film. Everything seemed right at first glance, but this fruit was missing something important for its growth: time.
Although the pineapple looked and even smelled delicious, it required patience and time to be ready to eat. No matter how much I may drool over the fruit, look at it, or try to get it to ripen, it would be too late. I had already peeled it, and the damage was done. How many of us approach life this way?
The Lord says it's not time, but we push and prod our way forward. Then, when things get messy, we blame Him. We ask, "Lord, why didn't you make a way? Why did you let things turn out this way?"
In James 5:7-8, we're reminded to be patient for the Lord's coming. Just as a farmer waits for their land to produce a crop, so, too, must we be patient through fall, winter, spring, and summer. Some are longer than others, but all 4 seasons have a purpose. While this passage discusses the Lord's coming, I believe it can also be applied to our everyday lives.
The fruit of patience is difficult to grow and cultivate. If we're honest, we'd rather skip the dosage and have our pineapple right now (or job, or answer to the prayer we've been praying, you fill in the blank). The harsh reality is this: Pushing and prodding will never twist the Lord's hand. He's in control and knows best, even when we fail to comprehend. But we have to trust Him. And trust requires patient endurance over many long and often treacherous seasons.
What are some practical steps for developing this fruit of the Spirit?
First, pray a prayer of surrender and confession. Ask the Lord, as David does in Psalm 139:23-24, to examine your heart and intentions: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (NIV).
Second, praise the Lord for who He is and what you know He's going to do. Even if you're presently struggling with patience, you can praise God for His loving kindness and faithfulness. Psalm 34:1 says, "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (KJV). Praising God in the midst of our struggles helps us to rely on Him more deeply.
Third, ask God boldly for what you need. Instead of trying to force your hand on the Lord's plans for you, ask Him to give you a sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. Then, tell Him what you need. Remember, He's a loving Father who daily bears our burdens and provides for our deepest desires, if they align with His will.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, learning to cultivate a spirit of patience is so difficult. Especially when it comes to our deepest dreams and desires, and we don't understand the delays. But you, Oh, Lord, know best and have good plans in store for us. When we're tempted to pick the fruit that's not ready, help us to wait. Help us remember that your best is yet to come, and it's worth the patience. As we long for these desires, help us to cultivate the fruits of the spirit as we learn true and utter dependence on you. We love, praise, and thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Photo credit: Couleur/Pixabay
Related Resource: How to Stop Comparing Your Prayer Life and Start Praying for Real
Have you ever listened to someone pray and thought, Well… I’ll never sound like that? In this encouraging conversation, Donna Jones sits down with author and speaker Shellie Tomlinson to talk about the comparison trap in prayer—and how to get free from it. Shellie shares why God isn’t looking for “perfect prayers” or spiritual clones. He wants you. We unpack simple, practical habits that help you linger with God, stop quitting when your mind wanders, and remember that prayer isn’t the goal—a deeper relationship with Jesus is. Shellie shares one simple reminder about approaching God in prayer that I’m sure I’ll never forget. You don’t want to miss it! If this episode of That's Just What I Needed helped you prioritize what matters most, be sure to follow the show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Wednesday, 24 December 2025.
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