Patience. I will admit this is not one of my strong points. For example, I got up this morning all ready to do the Loving Like Jesus Bible Study post for the Gift of the Home on Facebook and nothing…I can’t post at all. Frustrated? Yes, that was me! Continuing to try to post? Yes, that would be me again! Private messaging people to see if they were having a problem? Oh yes!
Patient means being able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people.
You have to admit you have some impatience in you too. (Truth!) When everything is going your way, patience is so easy. The tests come when we don’t get our way. When we don’t get what we want now. When we get cut off in traffic. When we have to explain something for the millionth time. What about the times that are trying to achieve a goal? Do you have patience then? Are you willing to go step-by-step, building foundations or do you just rush right on in and expect it all to turn out the way you want? Have you ever thought that your impatience could hurt you?
Impatience hurts you because you may give up on worthwhile things. We all have to give up on things once in a while, God usually leads when something isn’t what He wants for you. People who are impatience tend to give up sooner. Most things that are worthwhile take long-term work, focused effort and the building of strong foundations. They require more time and patience; there is no immediate results. Our impatience makes us miss out on the end result.
Impatience is a focus on instant gratification. Impatient people get short-term happiness at the expenses of long-term happiness because it takes too long. Yes, that would be me. Give me the happy now! In my heart I know I’m missing out… I’m allowing the frustration of not seeing immediate results hurt me in the long run. For example, trying to gain weight is something I sporadically work on. I know that I need to for my health, I know that this weight is no good for me. I know I should invest the time required and build long-term foundations but yet I don’t. My impatience gets in the way. I don’t see the results as quickly as I want to so I give up.
As I’m learning, patience does not develop overnight. Galatians 6:9 ESV says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Our patience is strengthened by resting in God’s perfect will and timing. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7. For “the Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25 ESV.
How do we develop this fruit?
First, we thank God for the Word says “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,” 1 Peter 1:6 ESV. Everything we go through is for a reason. Though we may not know in that moment we will know in the end.
Second, we seek God’s will for our lives. God’s purpose is for our growth and His glory. “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Philippians 1:9 ESV
Third, we remember God’s promise which tells us that “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
The next time your impatience is showing, how will you respond? Will you continue to respond with impatience which leads to stress, anger and frustration? Or will you release your natural response because you are a new creation In Christ? Will you use the Lord’s strength to respond with patience and a complete trust in God’s power and purpose?
“To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;” Romans 2:7
Let It Begin Anew 