Patience, Patience, Patience

Patience, Patience, Patience

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Father God, we come before you eager to learn more about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Today, Lord, our desire is to learn the importance of patiently enduring difficult times and circumstances.  Amen

First, let us consider Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

We often grow weary and discouraged when we are facing difficult times and difficult circumstances.  In our weariness and discouragement, we must learn to wait patiently upon our Lord. It is in waiting for Him that our strength and courage are renewed.  It is in waiting patiently for Him that we find the hope to continue.

In our own strength, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  

Remember Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV:)
^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control.”

We must remember that, as Christians, the Holy Spirit of God lives within us.  Therefore, the fruit of the Spirit is already present in our lives. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is already within us.   It is important for us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and to empower us to walk in that fruit.   

Accepting that God loves us and always wants the best for us brings joy and peace into our lives.  It is in that love, joy and peace that we develop patience.  

Patience requires that we stand firmly in our faith in spite of hardship, injuries, or offense.  Patience is calmness in the face of suffering and discomfort. Patience is good-natured tolerance of difficult times and difficult circumstances.  A good nature is built upon God’s love, joy and peace. 

 Before we can show patience to other people, we must first learn to be patient with our Lord.  Many times, God asks us to wait patiently before Him as He works in us and through us.  

The Bible has much to say about patience.  Let’s consider the following scriptures.  Ask the Holy Spirit to plant these words deeply into your spirit:

Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.
(Ephesians 4:2)

Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
(Proverbs 15:18)

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.
(Romans 12:12)

I waited patiently for the Lord’s help;
then he listened to me and heard my cry.
(Psalm 40:1)

The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him,
So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for Him to save us—
And it is best to learn this patience in our youth.
(Lamentations 3:25-27)

We must learn to walk in God’s patience. Then we can agree with Job, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10 NKJV).

When we are tested with difficult times and difficult circumstances, may we practice patience and come forth as gold.