Patience Please
”Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Ephesians 4:2 NLT
The Bible says a lot about patience, most likely because it’s something that doesn’t come easily.
”Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” (Proverbs 14:29 NIV)
The instant gratification that’s so prevalent today increases our expectations and decreases our patience.
”If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.” Charles Spurgeon
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. By submitting to God, reading His Word, praying regularly, and trusting in Jesus, we will produce the fruit of patience in our lives.
”But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)
It’s not so difficult for those of us who are living comfortably to be patient. It’s harder for those who are suffering. We’re told that to receive God’s promises, we need patient endurance.
”Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36 NLT)
“The only way genuine patience can be acquired is by enduring the very trials that seem so unbearable today. There is nothing in your life that distresses or concerns you that cannot become submissive to the highest purpose.” F.B. Meyer
Impatience causes stress, which can damage us physically.
”Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass away. God is unchangeable. Patience gains everything. He who clings to God wants nothing. God alone is sufficient.” Teresa of Avila
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying“. (Romans 12:12 NLT)
We must run with patience, or we shall never obtain. There may be many things we cannot understand, much that the flesh could perhaps wish otherwise, but let us endure unto the end, and all shall be made clear, and God’s arrangements shall be proved best. Think not to have your reward on earth, do not draw back because your good things are all yet to come. Today is the cross, but tomorrow is the crown. Today is the labor, but tomorrow is the wages. Today is the sowing, but tomorrow is the harvest. Today is the battle, but tomorrow is the rest. Today is the weeping, but tomorrow is the joy. And what is today compared to tomorrow? Today is but seventy years, but tomorrow is eternity. Be patient and hope unto the end. J.C. Ryle
”But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:25 ESV)