They say patience is a virtue but if we’re honest, it’s not a virtue that many have or are working to develop. It’s definitely an area of growth!
1 Corinthians 13 says that love is patience but we have to ask ourselves… is our love patient?
We have to remember that we serve a God who is very patient with us and in turn through His example, we can learn to be more patient too as it is one of the Fruit of The Spirit that He wants to grow in and through us!
Here are a few examples of how He’s patient with us:
The God of the universe is patient and awaits your repentance. (See Romans 2:4)
The Lord will return and we pray soon but He hasn’t in part because He’s patient and wants as many people as possible to respond to His gift of salvation! (See 2 Peter 3:9)
Paul referred to himself as the chief of sinners. Why? Because prior his salvation, Paul had persecuted the church. Paul says Jesus displayed perfect patience toward him as an example to others. (See 1 Timothy 1:15-17)
God shows great patience toward us for example, in the Psalms where He teaches us how gracious, merciful and slow to anger He is with us. (See Psalm 145:8)
So, even with these examples, if you’re ever tempted to lose patience with God while you await His answer, etc., remember how patient He is with you.
Speaking of waiting, another practical way He grows the Fruit of Patience in us is in well, waiting…
John Ortberg said it well that “What God does in us while we wait is as important as what we are waiting for.”
Waiting is not easy, however, have you considered what God may be developing in you and I as an example to others? Do you think about the fact that the Fruit He’s growing in and through you may benefit others?
The reality is that you have to start living the legacy now that you want to leave in the future. You have to start building your reputation now and the hope is that when people see you, they see the Light of Christ beaming brightly through you! The Fruit of the Spirit is a part of that!
Consider Noah for example. He spent 120 years building an ark in a place that didn’t see rain and while he built the arc he warned people of the flood and no one listened and they ridiculed him in the process. Wouldn’t that take patience? (See Genesis 6:9-9:17 & 2 Peter 2:5)
Please understand that while you patiently wait for…
…an answer to a prayer
…the results of a test
…the package to come in the mail
…the chores you have to do before you go do the fun things you want to do
…whatever you are waiting for
God is at work in and for you for His glory and your good!
We are instructed to be patient and grow in patience…
It takes a lot a patience to do good sometimes…and you may not see the results or fruits of your labor immediately but don’t give up and don’t grow weary in doing good! (See Galatians 6:9)
Sometimes, even what we think are good things, have to come to an end because God wants them to. You will have disappointments in life and have opportunities to grow in patience during these seasons but, don’t let your pride get in the way rather, be patient because God is at work. (See Ecclesiastes 7:8) It takes patience to work through disappointments and seeing things come to an end that we thought were a sure thing!
No matter what…work hard at being patient!
You also have to ask yourself: “Do I want to be considered as someone of good character, who is wise and who displays control of in your conduct as much as possible?” Or do you want to be seen as someone who is quick to anger, impatient all the time, and does not manage their behavior which calls into question their character? (See Romans 12:12 and Proverbs 14:29)
The reality is that you have to start living the legacy now that you want to leave in the future.
You have to start building your reputation now (which is part of your legacy) and the hope is that when people see you, they see the Light of Christ beaming brightly through you!
Here’s a key to remember: Since patience is a fruit of the Spirit, we can only possess this through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As it’s the Holy Spirit that produces patience in us.
Let me encourage you to simply do two things as you seek the Holy Spirit’s Help in growing in the Fruit of Patience:
1. Ask the Holy Spirit for help!
2. Pursue patience and all of The Fruit of The Spirit with all that is within you!
God wants you to bear good fruit for Him in all you do and I pray that you and I will do that each day including the Fruit of Patience!
Questions to Get Started With:
1. What are things that you have to be patient about?
2. What’s the opposite of patience?
3. Is patience a fruit you want to bear?
4. What kind of legacy are you trying to live and leave?
5. Have you ever asked God to for more patience? How do you think He’ll answer that?
6. Do you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you with patience or do you rely on yourself?
7. If relying on yourself, let me know how that’s working out for you?
8. What may God be developing in you as an example to others?
9. Do you think about the fact that the Fruit He’s growing in and through you may benefit others?
Keep Growing my friend!
Please share this post with someone today. Thanks!
Blessings in Christ,
rlk
Share this with someone today:
God wants you to bear good fruit for Him in all you do! http://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2017/03/the-fruit-of-spirit-patience.html
or...
They say patience is a virtue but if we’re honest, it’s not a virtue that many have or are working to develop. http://www.ashepherdsheart.org/2017/03/the-fruit-of-spirit-patience.html
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