James 5:8 says, “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” This verse encourages believers to be patient and establish their hearts as they await the return of Jesus Christ. But what exactly does it mean to “establish your hearts”?
The Greek Meaning
The Greek word translated “establish” is sterizo, which means to make stable, to make firm, to strengthen, to set fast. It evokes the image of providing a solid foundation or anchoring something securely. When applied to the heart, it means to confirm, to fix one’s affections. So establishing our hearts has the idea of firmly fixing our hearts and affections on God and spiritual things.
Different Views
There are a few different views on the specific meaning of “establish your hearts” in James 5:8:
1. Establish your confidence and trust in Christ’s return
Since James tells us to be patient for the Lord’s coming, some see this as an encouragement to firmly fix our hope and trust in the promise of Christ’s return. When Christ doesn’t return as quickly as we expect, our faith in His promise can waver. But this verse calls us to establish or strengthen our confidence that He will keep His word.
2. Confirm your commitment to God
Some see this as a call to reaffirm our allegiance to God, making sure our affections are firmly rooted in Him rather than being drawn away by earthly concerns. Our hearts naturally tend to wander from the Lord, so we need to continuously establish or re-establish our hearts in love for and loyalty to Him.
3. Resolve to persevere through hardship
In the preceding verses, James tells believers they will face suffering and persecution. Seen in this context, establishing our hearts can be understood as resolutely setting our minds to endure hardship with patience and courage until Christ returns. It means deciding ahead of time to remain spiritually steadfast through whatever trials may come.
4. Settle your hearts and dispel anxiety
Some understand this as an exhortation to set or settle our agitated hearts instead of letting anxiety or distress overtake us. The trials of life can unsettle our hearts and fill us with fear or worry. But we are to stabilize and compose our hearts by reaffirming our trust in the Lord.
Principles for Application
While scholars differ on the exact meaning, there are some important principles we can draw from this verse about how to establish our hearts:
1. Fix your hope on Jesus and the promise of His return
When life is difficult and Jesus seems distant, remind yourself that He is coming soon to make all things right. Stay focused on seeing Him face to face.
2. Renew your love and commitment to the Lord
Evaluate your heart to see if anything is drawing you from loving God wholeheartedly. Repent of any idols or distractions. Reaffirm that He alone is worthy of your full devotion.
3. Prepare your heart to persevere through suffering
Don’t be caught off guard when suffering comes. By God’s strength, decide now to trust Him and not grow bitter or discouraged. Resolve to run the race with endurance.
4. Reject anxiety and cast your cares on the Lord
Don’t allow worries and fears to consume your thinking. Deal with them through prayer and trusting God’s sovereign control over all things. Settle your heart in His peace.
5. Meditate on God’s truth to stabilize your heart
Immersing your mind in Scriptures that remind you of God’s faithfulness, power, love and sovereignty will reinforce your trust in Him. Allow His Word to firm up your foundations.
6. Seek others’ encouragement to strengthen your resolve
Shared prayer, worship, and fellowship can fortify your heart when your own spiritual vigor is lacking. Surround yourself with friends who can build you up in the faith.
What Establishing Our Hearts Produces
When we actively work by God’s strength to establish our hearts in Him, the Bible says this will produce steadfastness of spirit and character in our lives:
1. Perseverance and patience through suffering
Established hearts endure hardship without giving up or losing heart because their hope is set on God and eternity (James 1:2-4, 12).
2. Stability and strength of soul
Anchoring our hearts in God results in firmness of mind, emotions, and will. We are not easily shaken or overturned (Psalm 112:6-8).
3. Righteous thoughts, words, and actions
Hearts fixed on God lead to greater righteousness and purity in our practical daily lives (Proverbs 4:23).
4. Peace and freedom from fear and anxiety
Established hearts are guarded against crippling worry. They find rest and confidence in the Lord (Isaiah 26:3-4).
5. Joy and courage even in affliction
Hearts established in God’s love persevere joyfully, knowing trials are producing greater spiritual maturity and eternal rewards (Romans 5:3-5).
6. Stability and depth of character over time
Repeatedly establishing our hearts in God develops godly habits and instincts that last. Ongoing reliance on the Spirit produces lifelong stability (Psalm 57:7).
How to Establish Our Hearts
Scripture gives many practical instructions for ways we can actively establish our hearts in God by His strength and grace:
1. Meditate on God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-3)
As we consistently study the Bible, hear it preached, and memorize key verses, God’s truth takes root and stabilizes our thinking. It washes away lies and renews our minds.
2. Pray and seek the Lord (Lamentations 3:40-41)
Pouring out our hearts to God and crying out for His help re-centers our focus and affections back on Him when they wander.
3. Worship the Lord (Psalm 73:25-28)
When we sing praises to God and recall His goodness, our hearts are lifted above earthly cares and established again in Him.
4. Fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:42)
The support and encouragement of God’s people reinforces our resolve to follow Christ when hardship comes.
5. Trust in God’s sovereignty (Psalm 33:10-11)
Remembering that God is in control and working all things for our good stabilizes our hearts when life feels out of control.
6. Obey God’s commands (Psalm 119:1-3)
Doing God’s will maintains a clear conscience and close walk with Him, which anchors our hearts in righteousness.
7. Wait patiently on the Lord (Psalm 130:5-6)
Waiting expectantly for God to work teaches us to rely fully on Him, calming anxious hearts.
8. Set your mind on Christ (Colossians 3:1-2)
Intentionally setting your affections and thoughts on Jesus throughout the day recenters your heart in Him.
9. Trust in God’s promises (Hebrews 6:17-19)
Believing God’s promises strengthens hope in our hearts, giving us assurance that He will work all things for good.
10. Rejoice and give thanks (Psalm 13:5-6)
Focusing on God’s blessings and goodness stabilizes our faith and fills our hearts with joy in Him.
Scriptures to Help Establish Your Heart
In addition to the above practical disciplines, meditating on the following Scriptures can reinforce your trust in God and stabilize your heart when going through difficult times:
On God’s Sovereignty and Care:
– Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
– Psalm 37:23 – The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.
– Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
On Finding Strength and Peace in God:
– Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
– Psalm 73:26 – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
On God’s Faithfulness and the Blessing of Waiting on Him:
– Lamentations 3:22-23 – Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
– Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
On Persevering with Patient Endurance:
– James 1:12 – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
– Hebrews 10:35-36 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
On God’s Love and Our Hope in Him:
– Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
– 1 Peter 1:13 – Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
Summary – Establishing Our Hearts in God
In summary, to “establish our hearts” means fixing them firmly in God through hope in Christ’s return, renewed commitment to love and obey Him, preparation to persevere, and rejecting anxiety. Practically, we establish hearts by Scripture meditation, prayer, worship, biblically-sound teaching, fellowship, waiting on God, and other spiritual disciplines. By God’s strength, established hearts produce steadfastness of mind, peace, stability, perseverance, courage, righteousness and joy. Our hearts will remain established as we continue to pursue closeness with Jesus all our days.