Introduction
   We typically don’t think of adversity and troubles occurring in our lives as helping us, but the Word tells us specifically that they do. They help us to grow in patience.
   Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have [its] perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, James 1:2–4. New American Standard Bible used throughout, unless otherwise noted.
   The New American Standard Bible reads “endurance;” the King James Version, “patience;” the English Standard, “steadfastness;” The Complete Jewish Bible, “endurance.”
   This word “endurance”, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance G.5281, hupomone means “persevere, remain under. A bearing up under, patience, endurance as to things or circumstances” and stands in contrast to G.3115, makrothumía, “longsuffering or endurance toward people.” Both words are often found together (2 Cor. 6:4, 6; 2 Tim. 3:10). Makrothumía is associated with mercy.”
   We give thanks to Elohim always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness (hupomone) of hope in our Master Yahshua Messiah in the presence of our Elohim and Father, 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3.
   Hupomone is associated with hope (1 Thess. 1:3) and refers to “that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. Generally meaning endurance, patience, perseverance or constancy under suffering in faith and duty.” The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament
   Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which [the Master] has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by Elohim”; for Elohim cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death, James 1:12–15.
   Various trials and testings come into our lives to prove our character and to show us our weaknesses and our strengths. The idea behind what the Apostle James is speaking, however, is about not falling prey to temptation.
   So, we continue to move forward no matter the testing or trial, and with Yahweh’s Spirit we can produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) by enduring hardness (2 Tim. 2:3) with patience and avoiding evil. The Apostle Paul writes further,
   Now may the Elohim who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Messiah Yahshua, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, Romans 15:5–6.

For Our Own Good
   Yahweh is not the problem. We are the problem. Yahweh is the solution. We ask Yahweh for what we need and in return, He will provide.
   But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him, James 1:5.
   His laws and His ways are given us for our own good. The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do [His commandments]; His praise endures forever, Psalm 111:10.
   Exercising our senses (Heb. 5:14) to respect the Father and keeping His commandments provide wisdom.
   What else does Yahweh give? Good things, for sure. And certainly, we should desire wisdom. Why? So that we CAN discern good and evil, and truth from error, and do what is right and not be harmed by doing what is wrong.

Give Thanks
   And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope, Romans 5:3–4.
   From where do we get perseverance (endurance, steadfastness, patience)? Well, here Paul says we obtain it through suffering just as James said in 1:3.
   SUFFERING? BUT I DON’T WANT TO SUFFER!
   Patience in our circumstances will require suffer-ing. Paul said he had learned (been instructed) “in any and every circumstance … being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need” (Phil. 4:12). Furthermore, the Apostle Peter declared, Therefore, since Messiah has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 1 Peter 4:1.
   We can ask Yahweh for patience. But be prepared to obtain it through trials and tribulations which will strengthen us in order to bear the weak.
   Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not [just] please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Messiah did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the Elohim who gives perseverance (makrothumia: patience, endurance, longsuffering) and encouragement (support, inspiration, motivation) grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Messiah Yahshua, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the Elohim and Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, Romans 15:1–6. In bearing the weaknesses of others we get the word, makrothumia.
   The goal is to bring glory and esteem to the Father through Yahshua the Messiah by attaining to the same mind, speech, judgment (1 Cor. 1:10), etc. This was the intention of Yahshua’s prayer in John 17:21–23.

Have Mercy
   Should we be merciful? Should we endure? Yes, we should, but it’s not always easy to always endure and be merciful and we don’t always endure nor have mercy as we should. Becoming patient with, and extending mercy to others is a growth process, and it’s one reason to come together so that we can “sharpen” one another (Prov. 27:17), so to speak.
   The practice of good behavior produces good character in us. In these things Paul says, Giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of Elohim, in much endurance (hupomone), in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience (makrothumia), in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 2 Corinthians 6:3–6.

Endurance and Patience
   We’re reminded of a bumper sticker: “Master, Give Me Patience Right Now!”
   Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience (makrothumia), love, perseverance (hupomone), persecutions, [and] sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium [and] at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Master rescued me! 2 Tim. 3:10–11.
   It was Paul’s desire that we have patience. We practice makrothumia with each other and hupomone with circumstances. Both can be translated patience. Patience toward one another, and perseverance in every situation in which we find ourselves. Trusting Yahweh will see us through, allowing the Power of Messiah to be strengthened in us.
   Paul understood that there was, and is, access into the Power of Messiah, into His thoughts as long as we are of the same mind as He, and sensitive to His will as He was to His Father’s – toward others. Blameless and without spot or wrinkle; sinless in mind and heart. It’s a tall order for us frail humans. But we are encouraged, having Yahweh’s Spirit to help us keep His Word.
   Speaking to the Assembly at Philadelphia, Yahshua commends them, saying, Because you have kept the word of My perseverance (hupomone), I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth, Revelation 3:10.
   Keeping, and having kept the word of Yahshua’s “perseverance” (patience) – What is that saying? Is it saying these exceptional Saints were mature in Messiah doing as He would do? That is, were they patient with their station in life with its struggles, trials, or with whatever was going on around them. Can we be like this today? Absolutely.
   It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Messiah Yahshua came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Yahshua Messiah might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life, 1 Timothy 1:15–16.
   This word for “patience” here is makrothumia. Paul is saying, you should express the same kind of patience toward them as Yahshua has in forgiving them and us.
   May the Master direct your hearts into the love of Elohim and into the steadfastness (hupomone) of Messiah, 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Walk Worthily
   Another area in which we find patience toward one another (makrothumia) is in Ephesians.
   Therefore I, the prisoner of the Master, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience (makrothumia), showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Ephesians 4:1–3.
   This is the patience we are to express in our relationships toward each other, even with those outside of the faith.
   We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient (makrothumia) with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is Elohim’s will for you in Messiah Yahshua, 1 Thessalonians 5:14–18.
   Be patient with everyone. That is a tall order. Be patient with your children. Be patient with your spouse. Be patient with your employer. Be patient with ____, you fill in the blank!

Walk in the Spirit
   1 Thessalonians 5:19 reads, Do not quench the Spirit. The Spirit is able to give patience in allxsituations x(hupomone), but sometimes our flesh (that is, our own will) gets in the way. But submitting to Yahweh’s Spirit will require us to overcome our own flesh.
   So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Master, to please [Him] in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness (makrothumia) and patience (hupomene); joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light, Colossians 1:10–12.
   In the Light, in the Spirit, in patience with what-ever situation we find ourselves and with one another.
   Therefore be patient (G.3114. makrothume, longsuffering, forbearing), brethren, until the coming of the Master. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of of the Master is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door, James 5:7–9.
   These last words, “Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged …” warns us to refrain from pointing our fingers at others, or assassinating their character. Some things need to be spoken, but malicious character attacks should not proceed from our mouths. (Defamation of Character is actually a legal offence in which people sue one another for compensatory and punitive damages to their reputation, sometimes for millions of dollars.) For us there is a greater cost to be paid!

Set the Right Example
   James is correct, the Judge is standing right at the door, and we need to be doing what is right, not what is wrong. And if we are suffering, we still need to do what is right, not what is wrong.
   As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience (makrothumia), take the prophets who spoke in the Name of Yahweh. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance (hupomene) of Job and have seen the outcome of Yahweh’s dealings, that Yahweh is full of compassion and is merciful, James 5:10–11.
   James mentions those prophets who told the truth of Yahweh’s Word. We also tell the world Yahweh’s Word, and speak. They, and we, speak repentance for the Kingdom is at hand – the same EliYah message – spoken by John the Immerser, Yahshua the Messiah and His emissaries, telling people how to live according to the Word and also warning of the wrath to come for those who will not.
   For Elohim is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His Name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience (makrothumia) inherit the promises, Hebrews 6:10–12.
   Notice, it is with faith and patience that we inherit the promises.
   Again, the author of Hebrews says, We desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but will be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
   Just as the author of Hebrews encourages patience in doing good, with urgency Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:1–7:
   And working together [with Him], we also urge you not to receive the grace of Elohim in vain — for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU”; behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” — giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of Elohim, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the Word of truth, in the power of Elohim; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left.
   It’s a tall order to be patient in “weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties” (2 Cor. 12:10), etc. But when it comes to sharing Yahweh’s Name and other truths of His Word, we expect to receive nothing less – especially, as we see the world becoming darker.

Conclusion
   Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures (future tense of hupomone) to the end, he will be saved. This evangel (this one) of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come, Matthew 24:12–14.
   Many will not receive a love of the truth that they might be saved (2 Thess. 2:10) and will be less tolerant of those who do.
   You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put [some] of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My Name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance (hupomene); you will gain your lives, Luke 21:16–19.
   How can you be put to death and yet not a hair on your head will perish? Resurrection to life, that’s how. Yahshua is the example, His hair was just fine after He was resurrected. So, have patience, both hupomene and makro-thumia, and you’ll gain your life – even life eternal.