Patience That Endures – Fruit Pt 6

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26; James 5:7-11

22 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, 23 gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. (Galatians 5:22-23 TPT)

God is patient. God is patient with his children. God is patient with you and me! But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16 NLT)

This patience is more than waiting in the checkout line at Safeway or the Starbucks drive up window. In fact, this patience is more than waiting. It’s more than getting over blaming people who cut in line ahead of you and kept you waiting; it goes beyond letting go the feeling you’re being treated unfairly; it goes beyond frustration, anger, anxiety, and demanding your rights. This patience is realizing that as you release the situation and your feelings about it to God, he is growing something in you that will replace frustration, anger, anxiety, hurry, agitation, impulsiveness. This patience will make you strong!

As we allow the Holy Spirit to shape and influence us, we grow good fruit. We become more like our Father. We think, talk, and act more like Jesus. We learn to be patient with others. We learn to be patient with the process. We learn to be patient with ourselves. We even learn to be patient with God! When we allow the Holy Spirit to grow this fruit in us, we’ll learn to:

  • Be patient so we can understand how others feel.
  • Be patient so we can encourage others.
  • Be patient so God’s Spirit can complete his work in our lives.
  • Be patient so we can receive the reward of God’s fulfilled promise.

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36 NLT)

Prayer:

Father, We pray that we will be strengthened with all your glorious power so we will have all the endurance and patience you need. May we be filled with joy. (Col 1:11) Thanks for your patience with us. May we be as patient with others. In Jesus’ Name.