Three things I’ve learned during this series about putting the Fruit of Patience into practice:
1. A patient person faithfully waits and trusts in God’s timing.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14
NIV
I’m learning that God’s timing is perfect. He is never early. He is never late. When I’m tempted to follow my own timetable and run ahead of God, I miss the blessings He has for me in those seasons. And I don’t want to miss what God has planned! Waiting may be unpleasant, even wearisome, but I’m learning that it’s in those times that God strengthens my faith and teaches me to trust in Him.
2. A patient person chooses to accept that God’s ways of doing things are better than their own.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 NIV
God’s ways are not like our ways. Especially when it comes to building our character, strengthening our faith, and maturing us as Christians. One of the many ways God trains us is by using the people in our lives to help mold and shape us.
When it comes to losing my patience, this is probably the area that challenges me the most. It isn’t easy, but rather than losing my patience with the people God uses to help train me, I’m choosing to patiently thank Him instead. A thankful heart helps me to remember that God has put them in my life to help me grow. I may not understand the ways God trains and sharpens me, but I’m learning to trust His ways are better than my own.
3. A patient person perseveres when things don’t go as planned.
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.“ Proverbs 14:29 NIV
I’m a work in progress. I still struggle when the plans I’ve so carefully laid out get ruined. It comforts me to know that when things aren’t going according to (my) plan, and I’m tempted to get frustrated, I can ask God to fill me with the patience to handle it gracefully. No matter what happens, God is in control. His ways may seem difficult, and I may not understand them, but I’m learning to joyfully persevere and trust that His plans are for my good!
Thank you for joining us for part 2 of our current series: Sweet Smelling Fruit—Cultivating a Heart that Lives by the Spirit. Has God been speaking to your heart about patience? I would love to know how God has spoken to you through this part of the series!
Is this your first time here? I invite you to join us as we dig in to learn more about the Fruits of the Spirit! Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to receive updates on future posts.
~Kelly
Weekly Linkups
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I’m struggling with # 2, I am or I thought too patient, I know His ways are better but I just seem to be running into the same walls. I just need certain people to hear me and it is like they don’t or won’t, I need to either be more paitient or wait for His timing.
I have people like that in my life too. It’s hard when the people around us don’t hear us. Praying that God will open their hearts and “ears” to really listen to you and that He will calm your heart and fill you with the patience and grace needed for this situation.
Thank you so much, the same prayer goes out to you.
Thank you! 🙂
So much wisdom. Thanks for the helpful summary!
I love number 3. Press on or simply accept the wait as a “lull” like an under current of good on its way.
I really like the way you put it Lisa–“an under current of good on it’s way.” It makes me think of when the disciples were in the boat, frightened by the storms surrounding them(Mark 4:35-41). They wondered why Jesus wasn’t doing anything about it. They even thought that perhaps He didn’t care. Waiting has caused me to feel the same way, making me wonder if God has forgotten me. The good news is God hasn’t forgotten us. Just as Jesus eventually calmed the storm and quieted the seas for the disciples, He will calm the storms surrounding us too. It may not be as quickly as we would like, or in our preferred way, but we can trust that good is on it’s way.