There
are 9 Biblical attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit. In this lesson we will talk about the fourth,
which is patience or longsuffering.
These attributes characterize all who truly walk in the Holy
Spirit. All Christian should be
producing these in their lives. We are “being strengthened so that you may have great endurance and
patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father…” – Col. 1:11.
Definitions
for longsuffering: Patience,
steadfastness under provocation, endurance, ability to endure persecution and
ill-treatment.
Patience
is one of the most difficult areas of a Christian’s life. Our lives are constantly changing and testing
our patience. Because God is patient,
Christians ought to be patient. Patience
is one of God’s attributes. We often
pray for patience. God has been waiting
patiently wanting to give us His patience even before we ask. God is patient and He desires to give us this
quality. To be patient is to deal
lovingly and kindly to those around us.
Patience
produces unity in the church, loyalty to your country, harmony in families and
community. It comforts. It has humility. It teaches us to forgive. Patience is being calm and without anger. Patience waits and is never in a hurry. Patience has self-control.
Do you
have self-control in all circumstances?
Are you
humble?
Do you always
in a hurry anger?
Do you
get angry often?
When we
pray for patience, do we really mean it?
We ask God for something and can’t wait until He grants our
request. Remember God’s timing is not
our timing. God may answer our prayer
today, tomorrow or next year. It may
even happen long after we have left this life.
We just need to trust God and wait on His timing. He knows what is best. God is not in a hurry so why should you be?
Waiting
is not easy. Wait in prayer. Call on God and plead your case. Tell Him your difficulties. Express your confidence in Him. Then wait in quiet patience. Don’t complain as Israel did against Moses
and never wish you could go back. Pray
that God’s will be done, not yours.
“Patience
is not passive: on the contrary it is active; it is concentrated strength.” –
Bulwer
Patience
is the ability to accept disappointment or delay. We should smile at setbacks and respond with
a pleasant spirit. Don’t be like others
around you who curse and complain.
Many
have short fuses and it take very little to set them off. There is road rage on the highways and even
murder because tempers are lost. Just be
calm, cheerful and relaxed. It’s not the
end of the world. It’s not life and
death. Have patience in all things,
especially yourself.
Do you
have a short fuse?
When
disappointed, do you get frustrated and angry?
Next
time we will talk more about the characteristics of the fruit of the
Spirit. We still have kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to cover. Hope to see you here.
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