Fruits of the Spirit – Patience

Jun

9

2010

Do you ever feel like you’re always in a hurry?  Do you find yourself getting stressed out by waiting in line or traffic?  Do you find yourself constantly complaining when things fail around you?  Maybe you are dealing with impatience.

Billy Graham commented about the lack of patience, “We hurry when there is no reason to hurry, just to be hurrying.  This fast-paced age has produced more problems and less morality than previous generations, and it has given us jangled nerves.  Impatience has produced a crop of broken homes, ulcers, and has set the stage for more world wars.”

So you ask, how does a lack of patience cause broken homes, less morality and more world wars?  Let’s take a look at a scenario that you may be familiar with.  A young man is dating a beautiful young lady.  He really likes her, and he really wants to take their relationship to the next level.  She had previously told him that she wanted to wait until she is married, but his pressure and her love for him wear her down.  Before she knows it, she just cannot wait any longer, and her goal to wait for marriage will never be met.

Let’s take a look at another scenario.  A man and a woman, married for a few years are constantly arguing.  If it’s not money, it’s about where he spends his time.  She just cannot understand why they are not further along at this point in life.  Her constant nagging strangles their relationship and is a factor in her husband walking out on her.

Wisdom is a huge key to developing patience.  Proverbs 19:11 says, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience.” Ask God to give you wisdom to help you develop patience.  As your patience grows, the difference between living a reactionary life and living a life full of patience, allowing God to work, will become more and more clear.  It is only in patience that you can fully see the hand of God move.

Patience is another fruit of the Spirit.  Are you bearing good fruit?

Related Posts

1. Fruits of the Spirit – Self-Control
2. Fruits of the Spirit – Peace