PATIENCE STRENGTHENS THE BELIEVER
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“Rest in the Lord, and wait
patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because
of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.”—Psalm
37:7-8
Everyone struggles with some degree
of impatience. We are born with this
trait. When a baby wants to be fed in
the middle of the night, its’ first reaction, at the hint of discomfort, is to
fuss or cry until its’ needs are met.
Patterns from our old “flesh” nature make this a continual battle for
most people, but one that is worthwhile to fight.
The biblical definition of patience
can either mean longsuffering and perseverance, or not giving up and yielding
under pressure. In either case, it
reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration while suffering
or experiencing some strong desire. In
other words, we accept difficult situations without giving God deadlines. Furthermore, patience means accepting what
the Lord gives, on His timetable—or what He chooses not to give. This quality results in inner peace and lack
of stress. Meanwhile, we should pray,
obey, and persist as we seek God’s direction.
Like our scripture for today
instructs us, when we do not have patience with people it causes stress in our
lives. It is something that every Christian
must learn—God loves people! And our
worrying and fretting does not change people or circumstances; it only inflicts
harm on us, either physically or spiritually.
Walking in patience and love reduces
stress. “I, therefore, the prisoner of
the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of
the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness,
with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love’ (Ephesians 4:1-2).
Be happy when difficulties arise, for
the pressure caused by the problem will produce
patience and endurance. “Moreover—let us also be full of joy now!
Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing
that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving
endurance” (Romans 5:3—Amplified).
Many times the following scripture
has encouraged me, when I have gone through difficult times. It is like I have been able to gather myself
together, and go on because Jesus was able to do it; therefore, I can complete
my race. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Like a farmer that sows his/her
seed, have patience for you will reap when you do good. “And
let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we
do not lose heart” (Galatians 5:9).
Prayer—Father
I ask for Your help in developing patience in my life. I thank You for Your encouragement, love and
longsuffering in my life and as I do not try to figure things out on my own, I
know that I can rest in You and cease from strive and stress in my life, in
Jesus’ Name. Amen.
