Becoming Better not Bitter – Day 1

Monday, August 26

Becoming Better not Bitter – Day 1

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4

I wish I could say that trials always lead to patience, making us perfect and complete, lacking nothing. However, the reality is that trials can sometimes lead to bitterness. While God desires to use these challenges for our growth and transformation, the temptation to become bitter is strong. When we face suffering, we are more vulnerable to questioning, criticizing, or—even worse—turning away from God.

For the next five days, we’ll focus on the words written in James chapter 1 and verse 4, ‘But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.’ We will use this verse to focus on one word patience and how we can let patience do the Father’s perfect work within us to become better and not bitter.

Patience is often described as a virtue, but it’s more than just waiting—it’s about enduring and persevering through difficult times with a heart of trust and faith. You may know someone who, during a difficult time, expressed sentiments like, “How could God let this happen to me? I don’t deserve this! I wish I could tell Him how I really feel!” If we’re honest, we can all recall moments when trials did not lead to patience or maturity in our lives. Instead of allowing these experiences to make us better, we allowed them to make us bitter.

But there’s another way. James reminds us that patience is a tool that God uses to shape us into mature, complete believers. The trials and challenges we face are opportunities for patience to work within us, refining our character and drawing us closer to Christ. We can choose to let trials refine us, to see them as opportunities for growth rather than reasons for resentment. When we focus on becoming better instead of bitter, we align ourselves with God’s purpose for our lives, allowing Him to shape us into the people He created us to be.

Today, I encourage you to ask yourself the question “How can I allow patience to work in me during this season of life?” Once you do, allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you and trust that God is using this season to perfect and complete you.

Prayer for today: Lord, teach me to be patient in all circumstances. Help me to trust Your timing and process, knowing that You are shaping me to be complete in Christ. Amen.