HEAR Journal- James 1:4 Patience Shows Trust in God
If patience shows our trust in God, the reverse is also true a lack of patience shows a lack of trust in God. So, how did I come to this? Okay, let me back up here and explain what a H.E.A.R. journal is. It starts with discipleship groups at church.
Discipleship Groups
My church has started to do some small accountability groups, called D-Groups D for Discipleship. This is a 6 month commitment, meeting once a week. There is a book we are going through, with memory verses, some theology questions etc. We are also asked to complete 5 H.E.A.R. journal entries each week. I feel that the H.E.A. R. journals are the core of the whole thing, and I thought it would be good to share with you now and then. At first I thought a couple of them would make good blog posts. However, to be honest I have been either too busy or too tired to do that. Lots of change in my life right now. -if you interested, you can subscribe and share your email, you will only receive an email when a new blog post is up for you to see. And in the emails I tend to share a little more about what is going on with me. You can subscribe to your right.
H.E.A.R Journals
A H.E.A.R. journal is a simple way to take a bit of scripture and pull more practical meaning from it. The idea is as you read your bible you pick one verse (sometimes I pick 2 because I am not always good at following rules) The H. stands for Highlight, so you write the verse in your journal (any journal or bit of paper will do). E. stands for Explain, here you give the meaning in your own words. Sometimes this takes a little background info as well. The A. stands for Apply, how will you apply the truths of the verse in your life. And the R. stands for Response, how will you respond to God based on what you have leaned. My response tend to be in the form of a prayer.
Without further ado, here is my H.E.A.R. journal on James 1:4
H. = Highlight
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:4 (ESV)
E. = Explain
James first said that we should rejoice when we fall into various trials, for trials produce patience. He says that patience produces a “perfect work” that by it we can be complete, lacking nothing. We know that in God’s eyes those who believe are perfect because we have been cleansed by the blood of Christ. Yet, in reality we still have a lot of work – to allow the Holy Spirit to do in us. Here James gives us a key – Patience!
Have more patience, regardless of the trial, the struggle, or the suffering. Think about when you get impatient, when things seem to be going all wrong, right? We become impatient when we start to worry and stress about stuff. If we are being patient we are not worried or stressed, we are simply trusting God.
A. = Apply
Be patient Debra! Patience may be one of those things that you feel you will never have enough of, you may always need more. Yet, practice having patience. Patience takes a calmness of mind and spirit, it takes full trust in God. Yes, it is possible or God wouldn’t ask. It may not be possible in my own strength, don’t forget God will complete the work He has started in you. And look at the promise, “that you may be complete, lacking nothing”
Keep moving forward trusting God with patience. If it’s God’s will then it must be done in God’s timing, not Debra’s.
R = Response
Lord God, I am sorry for my impatience and worry. Forgive me Lord. I don’t want things to go my way, that has never worked out very well. I want everything to go as You want, and the way You want. Whatever You thing is best, that is what I want. Help me to be more patient and quick to repent when I get impatient, knowing that I am only showing my lack of faith in You. Trusting in You may be harder than it should be at times, still I choose to trust You and walk the narrow path even when it is difficult. I lift up praises to You Lord God. You are awesome and worthy. You are sovereign, almighty God! In Jesus’ name I pray Amen
Here is another post on Faith
