"....with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." -Ephesians 4:2
I find that the older I get, the less patience I have for certain things I encounter. I suppose you could call them pet peeves. For instance, while in traffic, I don't like it when drivers pull out in front of me and drive slowly. I also get annoyed at distracted drivers who are texting on their phones. I've also found that I don't like to repeat myself more than four times after I've given instructions. This mainly happens at work, however. I've come to realize that some of these constant situations arise in my life because the Holy Spirit is working on patience within me. He's continuously working on our dispositions and character so they resemble Jesus. As we submit to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, He will process us and confront behaviors and characteristics in us that don't glorify God. Impatience is something we've all dealt with on this Christian journey.
Also called long-suffering, patience means endurance of hardship, especially when dealing with people. When we're patient, we demonstrate self-restraint when we're stirred with anger or provoked. Some people boast about being short-tempered, but that is not a godly trait. God is described as long-suffering, and He patiently bears with sinners to give them time for repentance and salvation. We are also called to be long-suffering with one another. In Greek, patience literally means long of mind or soul. It's a reluctance to become angry or seek immediate retaliation. Sometimes I want retaliation, and that's why I'm still being processed in this area. When we're faced with difficult circumstances or offenses, we should remember that the scriptures call us to endure. This means we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how to apply the word like a healing balm.
Beloved, we should see patience as a gift from God. If earnestly applied, it brings us together in unity. It opens the door for us to bear one another up in love, which is more than tolerating each other. We learn to support and endure each other because of love. It's our love for one another that prevents resentment. Patience is one of the fruit of the Spirit, and it should be displayed in us for others around us to see. Beloved, if you find yourself struggling with being patient, be patient with yourself and lean into the process. God is working it out in you.
Prayer
Father, we thank you for being patient with us so we can be patient with others. We pray for patient endurance as we face various situations and people on this Christian journey. In Jesus' name. Amen
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