Patience

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

God is patient with us. And when we are patient—especially as mothers, fathers, or spiritual parents—we demonstrate that same fruit and reveal the evidence of God’s Spirit in our lives. The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are not something we can strive for. The fruit of the Spirit is a byproduct of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and EVIDENCE of our relationships with Jesus. The fruit of patience is not meant to help us deal with annoyances of life. Patience, as used here, is defined as ENDURANCE, STEADFASTNESS, PERSEVERANCE, PATIENCE IN TRIAL, and LONGSUFFERING. Its purpose is to help us suffer through rials and mistreatment with a Christ-like attitude.

Psalm 86:15 (NIV) reminds us that God is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger”—He doesn’t just demand patience, He demonstrates it.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) shows us the reason: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… He is patient with you.”

PATIENCE MATURES US BY GIVING US THE ABILITY TO DO THREE THINGS.

1. We LEARN TO WAIT FOR GOD.

When we trust God in the waiting, we: Let go of our timeline but get God’s timing. Let go of our plan but get God’s provision. Lose control but get God’s covering.

2. We mature as we LEARN TO ENDURE THROUGH TRIALS. God does not cause trials, but He promises to be with us through trials. We must hold firm to God, no matter what!

3. We endure in patience when we LEARN TO FORGIVE EACH OTHER. Forbearance gives us the ability to forgive someone even in the toughest situations. Today, let’s lock eyes with Jesus, so that He can help us cultivate the kind of patience that’s only available through Him!

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE PRACTICALLY: HOW DO WE CULTIVATE PATIENCE?

1. FOCUS ON WHO JESUS IS. When we are waiting, enduring, and forgiving, we can cast out doubt, fear, and anxiety because He is faithful! Jesus is Love, Powerful, our Redeemer, Rock, Good Shepherd, and Good Father. He is the Way, Truth, the life, our Savior, Almighty, and the Great I AM! We don’t have to focus on ourselves.

2. FOCUS ON WHAT JESUS HAS SAID. Patience is not passive. Waiting is an opportunity to grow when we put our hope in the Word. We need to find a verse that speaks to our situation and claim it!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, .. James 1:2-3

3. FOCUS ON WHAT JESUS HAS DONE.

When God asks us to be patient, He isn’t asking us to do anything He did not do first. God waited on us, endured with us, and forgave us. Because He did, we can wait on God’s timing, endure through the greatest pain, and forgive the deepest wrongs.

WE ARE NEVER MORE LIKE JESUS THAN WHEN WE ARE LIVING IN PATIENCE! Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. (Heb 10:35-36) AMP