Who was he writing to?
James addresses his letter to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” (James 1:1)

What were some of his motivations?
- James was driven by a conviction that Christian belief must translate into concrete action
-James wanted his readers to understand the practical implications of their faith.
--Calling scattered Jewish Christians back to the integration of belief and behavior that
characterizes genuine discipleship.* a call back to the basics
-He wrote to encourage believers experiencing trials, helping them recognize that such
difficulties develop spiritual maturity and completeness.

Three examples of patience
1. the Farmer
2. the prophets
3. Job

To be patient in suffering we must do what God has created us to do and then TRUST God to do what only he can do.

To be patient in suffering we need to be OBEDIENT to what the Lord calls us to even when we don’t understand.

To be patient in suffering we must KNOW our place. God is God and we are not.

How long?

We have plenty of jobs to do… roles to play, BUT judge is not one of them.

5 things that are not helpful to focus on in the midst of suffering
1.fairness
2.comparing our suffering
3.neat logical answers
4.a timeline
5.ourselves

5 things that ARE helpful to focus on in the midst of suffering
1.Purposeful Testing
2.Jesus’ compassion, Emmanuel “God with us”
3.What do I know to be true right now?
4.Everything will be made right in God’s timing
5.others who are suffering