It is no surprise that the times we are living in become increasingly difficult, especially when the price for needed material things is skyrocketing. The price of gas is breaking records throughout the world, and as a result, other prices are being affected, like food, for example. Truckers especially are taking the hit, because they need to transport supplies to our local supermarkets, and so, food prices are being raised.

Many are becoming more conscious of their spending habits and starting to become impatient. Are we starting to feel this way? We know that it is going to get worse, and our patience will be tested more and more. God requires that we have faith during times like these, and that we should eagerly wait for Christ’s return. In the first chapter of James, verses 2-4, it says: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” 

We certainly must not give up, but look to God for help. When we go through these trials, how is it that we should react? As we struggle during these times, “… we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance [endurance or patience]; and perseverance, character; and character, hope  (Romans 5:3-4).”

We know that the end is near–that Christ will return soon. Now is not the time to give up, nor should it ever be, but we have to believe that we can make it and that we will be blessed when we endure until the end (James 5:11).  Just as we have patience during these hard times, God also has a tremendous deal of patience with us. The worst case scenario would be to let Him down. 

What are we to do then in these struggling times? The answer can be found in these inspired words, recorded for us in James 5:7-8:  “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

How strongly are we committed to the truth and God’s way of life?  We may sometimes have that feeling of quitting, having doubt or a lack of faith, and that kind of thinking could even bring us to the point of giving up.  We have to be careful that we don’t think that way. 

In the 13th chapter of Matthew, Christ talks about the parable of the sower.  In verse 19 He states, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

We must be diligent in understanding the truth, and we do that by studying God’s Word and asking God for His wisdom and understanding.  Satan the devil is very eager to draw us away from God’s truth, and He loves it when we stumble. 

Instead, we are to be joyful when we hear God’s Word (verse 20).  The key is that we remain joyful and enthusiastic about God’s way of life, lest we drift away, due to various trials in our lives.  Verse 21 states, “… yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while.  For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” 

Christ also describes a category of people who do know the truth but are still attached to the world in some way:  “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (verse 22).  We cannot serve God and mammon  (Matthew 6:24).  Being caught up in the world is a huge distraction from God’s way of life, and therefore, it is impossible to bear fruit.  In verse 23 Christ states: “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

We must also come to the realization that we, as converted Christians, were predestined to be called, and we were chosen for this life, to know God’s truth and His law.  God has called us out of this world to a potential better life that is to come in the near future.  With this understanding that we have, we must act on it, and we will be blessed far more than we can ever imagine.