Patience is the fourth of 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit. I talked about the first three last week- love, joy, and peace. Although I’ve gotten better over the years, patience is one fruit of the spirit that I struggle with more than others. I have a tendency to want things now. I’m not very good at waiting.
God’s Timing is Perfect
If there’s one thing I’ve discovered in my relationship with the Lord, it’s that God’s timing is definitely not mine.
I find that although God’s timing is not my timing, He is never late. He is always right on time for whatever it is that I need at the moment.
Patience Defined
Before I go too far though, let me define patience.
According to Google, it is defined as:
“the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.”
Google Definition
I am so very thankful that God is patient with me. No matter how badly I may mess up or how many times I make the same mistake or how impatient I am, He still loves me.
In fact, in Hebrews 13:5 it says:
“Let your lives be without love of money, and be content with the things you have. For He has said: ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’”
Hebrews 13:5 MEV
God is infinitely patient and loving toward us and part of being a Christian is letting the Holy Spirit work in us to develop these fruit of the Spirit. It’s a gradual process which happens over time as we grow in our faith in God.
Patience is a Gradual Process
There’s a saying “Be careful what you pray for, you just may get it.” Well, patience, at least for me, is one of those things because God doesn’t just give you patience when you ask for it. More likely, you will have various trials and tribulations that require you develop it.
For Example, perhaps you’ll get stuck in slow-moving traffic when you’re on the way to an appointment or in a slow lane in the grocery store. Maybe you’ll have to wait longer than expected for that long-awaited tax return that you desperately need.
There is an acronym I came across:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.”
Philippians 4:5 MEV
God Has a Reason For Everything
No matter how you develop patience though, it is worth it. God has a reason for everything and patience is one of those things that speaks to your character.
“Not only so, but we also boast in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces patience, patience produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 MEV
Conclusion
Of the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit, I believe that patience is the hardest to develop. However, it’s the difficult times that really help us grow because they make us stronger and they test our faith.
It’s where we really find out what we are made of and who God really is if you choose to rely on Him. God called us to be a light and one way we can do that is by exhibiting patience during hard times or difficult circumstances.
You can check out my first post on the fruit of the spirit here: Unconditional Love- First Fruit of the Spirit
This site may contain links to affiliate websites including Amazon and I will receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you using such links but at no additional cost to you.