Being Patient
Whatsoever series:
This month’s theme at Parent & Family Connections is patience. I can almost hear what some of you are thinking! Isn’t there some bit of age-old knowledge about not asking for patience? Yes, but at the moment, I am not asking for it. I am marveling at it. More specifically, I am marveling at the Lord Jesus for His patience!
Let me share with you how I arrived at marveling. The blog Whatsoever is intended to raise our thoughts to think on the higher noble, pure, and lovely things of Jesus (Philippians 4:8-9) and our faith in Him. Consider for a few moments that those noble, pure and lovely things are the attributes of Jesus, and that it is in His Spirit that we are called to live (Galatians 5:22-23). As in, love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, gentleness, and self-control (emphasis is mine). Another translation reads as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
Why do these words matter to me and to you? Let’s get closer by looking at the common definition of patience. Patience (noun) reads as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. Synonyms are: forbearance, tolerance, restraint, self-restraint, resignation.”
Do you see the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit in the words used to define patience? Amazing! Now go a step closer to God’s truth about patience. To live more fully, to really live in the Spirit and be a testimony to the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, I live and love by being patient. I must pray for it, to be it, to have it, to give it, to live it, to love it.
How else could I possibly practice my faith by acts of self-control if I am not at times tempted to get even with another person’s inconsiderate behavior (Romans 12:17); or practice gentle answers when I am met with rude comments (Proverbs 15:1); or prove the forbearance of my faith by enduring all kinds of trouble, hardship, and calamity (2 Corinthians 6:4-6); or to be at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18) through self-restraint.
How else might we accomplish living a life worthy of Christ if we are not asking for Him to sanctify us? Is there another way to live in the character of Christ, by the fruit of His Spirit, if we avoid asking for His strength and desire in being patient? I don’t believe there is.
My friends, we must press close to lean against our Savior’s shoulder and ask for patience. It is not a characteristic that can be left out and separate from the others. Only in Christ and through Christ may His good work be completed in our lives. It is only by His Spirit that we can live peacefully with others, exercise self-restraint, and self-control. Like you, your student will be tested in all kinds of ways to practice these patiences. Pray patience for them daily and be patient in God’s plan for their lives.
Go now and marvel every day at the Lord’s patience with you, with the world, and with His plan that is meant for all of us to our good to give us hope and a future. And, go ahead, ask for patience and be bold in doing it!
Meet the Author
Tamatha Anthony
Assistant Director
