傑盛沮喪地瀏覽著招聘廣告。他之前做服務生的工作收入不錯，但餐飲業的工作需要在周末輪流值班，這讓剛信主的他很難固定參加教會主日崇拜。他哀嘆道：「為什麼上帝不回應我的禱告？祂不是希望我能去教會嗎？」

過了一年，傑盛才意識到自己必須調整期望，並且嘗試轉換跑道，最後他找到了一份週一到週五上班的工作。他感謝上帝，發現經過這段漫長的等待之後，讓他在做決定時變得更加成熟。這段換工作的過程，也讓傑盛明白何謂在生活中忍耐到底，並相信上帝會按祂的時間顯明祂的計劃。

這正是雅各對當時散居各地、面臨考驗的信徒所給予的勸勉。雅各鼓勵他們不要放棄，說：「你們要堅忍到底，使你們純全、完備、毫無缺欠」（雅各書1章4節，當代譯本修訂版）。在信徒向上帝求智慧、等候並堅忍到底的過程中（5-6節），不僅能培養他們的耐心和對上帝的信靠，還能幫助他們在認識自己和上帝的同時，屬靈生命日漸長大成熟。

等候上帝回應禱告或許並不容易，但這過程能使我們更成熟、更堅定，也加強我們的信心，並讓我們更深刻地體會信靠上帝的意義。

Joseph combed the job listings frustratedly. Previous jobs as a waiter had paid well, but regular weekend shifts typical of the restaurant industry made it hard for him as a new believer in Jesus to attend church regularly. “Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?” he lamented. “Wouldn’t He want me to attend church?”

It took a year before Joseph saw that he had to adjust his expectations and try a different industry, where he finally found a job with regular weekday shifts. Thanking God, he realized how the long wait had made him more mature in making decisions. This job change process had also taught Joseph what it means to persevere in life and trust in God to reveal His plans in His time.

That’s what James told Jewish believers in Jesus, who were scattered and facing trials. Encouraging them not to give up, he said, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete” (James 1:4). The process of asking God for wisdom, waiting, and standing firm (vv. 5-6) would not only nurture their patience and trust in God but also help them grow in maturity as they learned more about themselves and God.

Waiting for God’s answer can be tough, but it makes us more mature and steadfast, strengthens our faith, and gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to trust God.