P1 Patience Introduction
Reading: Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)
“Please be patient, the doctor will be with you shortly.” Ever wonder why the lobby at the doctor’s office is called a waiting room? Exactly! And then there’s this: “All customer service representatives are currently assisting other frustrated people like yourself. Your call is important to us. Thank you for your patience!”
As I prayed about our next topic for GraceNotes, “Patience” kept nudging me until I somewhat reluctantly decided to address it. Kind of like how Jake the Dog gives me nose bumps when he thinks it’s dinner time until I give in and put food in his dish! In the past few days, since selecting the topic, I’ve already come across more than I wanted to deal with, but here we go! Confession: I’m pretty sure this is more for me than for you, but maybe you’ll find something helpful. Are you with me?
Patience is being willing to wait, not being hasty or impetuous. Patience is bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint. Patience is being steadfast in spite of opposition, difficulty, or adversity. And Patience is forbearance with others when they provoke us, delay us, and frustrate us.
Patience is pretty much universally understood to be a good quality. Our parents drill it into us as children. At school we have to be patient until it’s recess time, we patiently wait for lunch time, and we fidget at our desks until the bell rings and it’s time to go home! The processes and experiences of life demand patience of us every day. The Bible even tells us that patience is a fruit of the Spirit.
“I want patience, and I want it now!” If patience is a Fruit of the Spirit, how can I allow that fruit to grow and mature? One thing I can do is to intentionally yield to the Spirit and ask for a work of Grace each time I find myself being impatient. If patience is a fruit, it doesn’t just magically appear. Patience grows as I respond graciously to impatience-stirring experiences in my life! Am I making any progress in developing the God-quality of patience in my life? Are you?
Prayer:
Father, I’m only half-joking when I say I want patience and I want it now! It seems like by this time I ought to be a lot more patient with life, with others, and even with myself. Please grant my friends and me patience with the process. In Jesus’ Name!