How are we doing with the Fruit Of Patience? I found a picture recently that says, “Some things take time.”
Isn’t it a true statement saying that “Most of the things we want to see happen take more time than we thought?” Yes, they do and even spiritual things.
If there is one thing I am learning as I grow in my faith is that our timing and God’s timing are usually different.
Since God’s timing is different, that causes us to wait and waiting brings forth patience if we let it. Most of us lack this very important fruit. Why? We live in an instantaneous world. We can access almost anything quickly without having to wait. We used to call this a microwave generation, but we have advanced to air fryers now! This has been an incredible opportunity living in America, with all the advancement of technology, but it also has affected our ability to acquire patience.
Patience is one of the fruits that we should release when praying for others.
What do I mean? How long have we asked for a situation to change, and it didn’t? How long have we asked God to change a person’s heart, and it hasn’t happened yet? Be patient and keep asking!
One of the most beautiful prayers that was prayed for the Colossians is this: “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience...” Colossians 1: 9-11
Acquiring great endurance is produced from patience. Living the Christian life requires this because we are in it for the long haul.
So, the next time we ask God for patience, we will be obtaining endurance as well because they seem to be partnered. Asking for patience is a brave prayer. I’ve prayed that many times and almost immediately right after having found myself in situations that required much patience feeling like it was taking way longer than I expected.
Think about how patient God is in all things and especially with us.
“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86: 15
How can we allow patience to do its work?
} WAIT PATIENTLY:
- Allow patience to have its proper place in our life, with the end result being that we will be brought to spiritual maturity.
- Remember waiting patiently helps us to grow.
} WAIT EXPECTANTLY:
- The farmer waits expectantly for his crop to grow.
- Recall the promise God has given us in a specific request.
- His promises are yes and amen.
} WAIT FIRMLY:
- Don’t allow anything or anyone move us away from our expectation.
- Press in to hear the voice of God, not of people.
“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40: 31
Waiting on the Lord will produce patience as He renews our strength.
Patience gives us the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Lord, you are always enlarging us, enlarging our capacity to receive. May we receive your patience on a whole new level.
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