Patience - part three

The Apostle Paul considered patience to be an integral part of the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ.  He named it among the nine fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22 – 23.  It is one of the nine traits that he taught us to incorporate into our lives if we are to live successfully in the world.  He felt that walking in the Spirit was the key to living the God kind of life.  He said, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25 – King James Version)

Patience in the original Greek means endurance, constancy, perseverance, longsuffering and slowness in avenging wrongs. (See Thayer’s Greek Definitions for Strong’s G3115).  In a way, it is a sort of safeguard against taking a quick action in immediate response to a situation that you might regret later!  During the time spent in patient reflection one has the opportunity to learn and pursue the correct course of action.  Sometimes that action simply involves doing nothing! Many times (like I wrote about yesterday) it’s forgive and forget.  Other times it means facing the problem head on, then again it could be like I’ve also learned, to swallow your pride and just do whatever needs to be done, no matter what people think!

Patience is a powerful accessory in our tool box of life.  Look at the strong example in Paul’s life.  He constantly faced accusation and hostility.  He’d just get going good in a meeting in a certain city when dissenters from the last city would come in and break up his service.  When he finally cried out to God for help, the Lord simply replied “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)  He didn’t want Paul getting all worked up over the distractions that the devil sent his way.  He wanted Paul to stay focused and in love.  Patience combined with love make an immovable force in your life for God!

Isn’t that really the force and or power that you want in your daily life?  I know that it’s what I desire!  Most of us like to be in control of the various situations that we deal with on a regular basis.  Patience is one of the most important attributes we can use to keep the control we need in order to win the race of life!  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What am I PATIENTLY expecting today?”