LEARNING DAILY

Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

“Lord, I ask for patience in my life. And, I want it now.” Okay that might not be the way to gain patience; I wonder who else besides myself have prayed with that sentiment. Patience, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, are words used by different translations that describe the “catalyst for love, joy, and peace in the Believer’s life” said Pastor Matt Martin as he introduced this week’s fruit. You can cee by the terms forbearance and longsuffering that patience does not happen in one’s life quickly.  

James wrote this about patience. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (1:2-4). Paul wrote in Romans 5:3-4, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” When everything is going well, just the way we want it to go, patience is easy to demonstrate. But when things are difficult, when trials come, when a driver cuts us off when we are driving, when we are sitting in traffic our patience is tested. Patience reveals our trust in God’s omnipotence, His timing, and His love.

Hebrews 12:1 states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”. The Believer is to run (or walk) the race [on the narrow way] patiently, enduring the various trials that come his/her way; he/she is to persevere toward a goal(s) expecting a promise to be fulfilled.

Pastor Martin states, “Long-suffering is not natural. It’s supernatural.” It does not happen overnight. It is not achieved by anything one does – one cannot try harder to be patient. Patience is powered by the Holy Spirit (Audrey’s notes). That means the believer must yield to the Holy spirit and be continually connected to the vine (John 15:1-5). The fruit of patience is produced by submitting to God’s will, by growing closer to God. Colossians 1:10-11 affirms this. “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy”. God does not give up on those who follow Him because He is long-suffering (Exodus 34:6 and 2 Peter 3:9).

Pastor Martin also stated, “long-suffering is a witness”. He said, “This is Spirit-powered patience under pressure”. Audrey wrote in her notes, “The world expects a response, a reaction to the situations being faced; the Spirit give restraint. Our reactions show what kingdom we belong to.” One just never knows who is watching! James 5:8 tells Believers, “To be patient and stand firm because the Lord’s coming is near”.

The Pastor’s last point was, “Longsuffering strengthens relationships”. He said, “Without long-suffering, patience, relationship fall apart. It does not make relationships easier; it means God is at work in the situation.” Audrey wrote, “Without long-suffering, it’s impossible to forgive and remove resentment for others. Real patience is believing God is working even in the toughest times.”

So, the next time you face a situation that calls for patience, how will you react? It would be good to remember that you have the Lord’s strength and can trust in His ability and power to see you through what you are facing.