Establish Your Hearts

James 5:8
“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

I am a fixer. I can’t help it. If you share a problem, I immediately bombard you with potential solutions. I’ve learned in marriage that Carlin is not always looking for a solution—but simply to be heard.

James’ command to “establish your hearts” is challenging for me because my instinct is to change my circumstances or fix the problem. I don’t like discomfort. Perseverance is painful—and I bet it is for you too.

So what does it mean to establish our hearts?
The word means to fortify or stand firm. It’s a defensive posture against the temptation to give in or give up. But fortifying requires strengthening—so what do we strengthen ourselves with?

James is calling us to establish our hearts in faith. To trust more deeply that God has not failed or forgotten us. To believe that God is in control even when life feels completely out of control.

This is a change from the inside out. It’s belief that leads to action.
And ultimately, establishing our hearts requires the work of God’s Spirit—doing in us what we cannot do on our own.

Reflect:

• What is causing you to feel unsteady or unsure today?

• Name it honestly before God.

Pray:
Lord, steady my heart and anchor my hope in You. Even when life feels out of control, I trust that You are in control.