"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:4).

The word perfect here means "mature." So, the trying of your faith "worketh patience" that you may be mature, entire, wanting or lacking not a thing. Wouldn't you like to be mature in the Lord, entire, lacking not a thing? In order to come to that place, you must learn something about Bible patience.

What does the word patience here mean? It means "to be steadfast, to be unmovable." Another definition of patience is "to remain constant." He says that "the trying of your faith worketh patience."

Note that faith and patience are linked together. It's your faith that is being tried. Then, he goes on and talks about patience. Let's look at what the Bible tells us about patience and faith.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
(Heb. 12:1-2)

The scripture says that we are to run the race with patience looking unto the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus. So we have here a mention of faith and patience.

And we desire that everyone of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
(Heb. 6:11-12)

These scriptures clearly say that to receive the promises of God, faith and patience are involved. It's not just a matter of faith. It's faith and patience.

Abraham is called the father of faith. You could also say he was the father of patience as well. Abraham was very patient.

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
(Titus 2:1-2)

"Aged men" here refers to mature men. Remember, the Word told us in James I that you can be a mature man. Being sound in charity means "being sound in love," and the Word tells us faith works by love (Gal. 5:6).

So a man who is spiritually mature is a man who is sound in faith, sound in the love of God, and sound in patience.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight to faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
(Tim. 6:11-12)

We find here the things the Bible says we should follow after. In 1 Timothy 6:10, it said to flee the love of money...not money, but the love of it...and then it goes on to say what we should seek.

There are all kinds of people telling us to follow after all kinds of thing, but these scriptures outline what God says we should follow after -righteousness, which means right standing with God; godliness, or being God-like; faith, love, patience, and meekness.

Once again, you see faith, love and patience, not just faith by itself. The man of God is to follow after patience, which will make him mature, entire, lacking not a thing. It says to "fight the good fight of faith."

The only way you are going to fight the good fight is to function in faith, love, and patience, as well as meekness, godliness, and righteousness.

Source: Joy in the Midst of Trials by Keith Butler
Excerpt permission granted by Word of Faith Christian Center