Patience! It’s something of which we know we need more but we fail to do much about it. Many times, we are like the old guy who prayed for patience and said, “… and Lord give it to me right now.” It doesn’t work that way.
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Granted, it is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit but this fruit grows in the midst of adversity. (See below as “steadfastness” or “endurance” is “patience” as seen in other translations.)
James 1:2–4 (ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Romans 5:3–5 (ESV) — 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Are you ready for some trouble, affliction, or suffering? It’s the sure way that God will develop and bring out patience in your life. Note how we are told to “count it all joy” or to “rejoice” whenever we face difficulty because God is developing patience, something of which all of us need more of, so even though we’ve had difficulties in the past which have been used by God to develop our patience, we can all use a little more as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as we remember God’s ultimate plan for each Christian is to be conformed to the image of Christ in character.
Romans 8:28–29 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
This road to the development of patience is sometimes called “the Lord’s discipline” or “reproving,” or chastising.” It can accurately be considered “son or daughter training” God trains us through the difficulties of life to grow in our holiness, which would include patience.
Hebrews 12:5–11 (ESV) — 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Another aspect of the development of patience can be seen in the development of “contentment.” Contentment and patience go hand in hand. If we are content, then we are patient and the only way to be truly patient is to learn to be content. Consider the words of Paul and see how his patience increased as expressed in his contentment.
Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV) — 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Patience, contentment, and endurance; all are developed in the ground of adversity as the Holy Spirit performs the work of sanctification in us using the word of God applied to the situation in changing us from being impatient, discontent, and without endurance.
It’s a good thing then to see the need for more patience because as an athlete sees a need in his/her game, they are prepared then for the work of doing whatever is necessary to make up for what is lacking. Likewise, when we see the need of patience and know patience is developed in the midst of adversity, we are open to whatever God allows in our lives knowing that if it were not necessary it wouldn’t be.
1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV) — 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
