Patience

Marilyn Appleby

One of the readings for Sunday is taken from James chapter 5. It focuses on being patient, especially in the face of suffering. It tells us not to grumble against one another—something I feel we all find easy to do!

In all kinds of situations we express our dissatisfaction with the quality of certain items we buy, the length of time we have to wait in quueus, the poor quality of our holiday accommodation, the noise our neighbours make and so on!

Sometimes, we can be masters of Grumbling—just like the Mr Grumble in the picture! I wonder why we never seem to be totally satisfied? Why is our natural instinct that of being critical?

James entreats us to be patient, just as the prophets of the Old Testament were patient (Job particularly!). Maybe the next time we are tempted to grumble we need to take a deep breath , find a positive aspect and hold back on the grumbling!

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,
or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
James 5:9