Pointing to Jesus

Biblical patience can be defined as “the ability to endure difficult people and situations without giving in to anger or giving up hope.” (from Renew.org- Daniel Mc Coy.) Long suffering or endurance are also words used in the Bible to describe patience.

Patience is the 4th fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galations 5:22.  It is evident as we are filled with the Spirit. It is also the first description of love mentioned in I Corinthians 13:4. Tue love, agape love, is showing patience towards others. When we love others, we will be patient with them.

We need to practice patience when we are annoyed, irritated, or offended.                      I Thessalonians 5:14 says, “And we urge you brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”

Ephesians 4:2, when talking about how we are to walk in our calling, says, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”

There are many situations in our lives that require patience. Some of those situations are traffic, waiting in lines at the grocery store, waiting at an appointment, waiting for others. All these situations are  opportunities for us to cultivate and practice patience in our lives.

When we are patient, we are following Jesus’ example, although his patience is perfect, ours is not. I Timothy 1:16 says, “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.” Jesus is always our perfect example.

Patience is a character trait that we all need to work on from time to time. We can pray for patience. Jesus is the source of it, so He’s where we go to get it.

This post is a reminder to us all that when  we encounter people and situations where we are tempted to be impatient, we remember that God wants us to be patient. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can. And like love, we need to show patience not only with those who are easy to show patience with but also with those who are difficult to be patient with.

Patience is not something we get by ourselves or on our own. Patience comes as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Spend time in the presence of God and with the Holy Spirit and watch your patience grow.

Let’s remember how patient God is with us and strive to show that same patience with others.

Blessings,

Desiree