When you were little did you ever ask why? Why can’t we have what we want right now?

Or as an adult, why is the world the way it is? Why does this and that situation happen? And when will this storm be over?

I have.

And we do wonder why things can’t change now. We can be wanting and praying for a change or for something specific for weeks, months, years and even decades and wonder why nothing is happening. Or do you feel God has said yes to something but your still waiting? How long should we wait for???

Abraham and Sarah had quite a wait! It was in Genesis 12 we first hear God’s plans for his offspring, then when Abraham was 75 we hear about God’s promise of a son to him and yet he still had to wait another 25 years as his son Issac wasn’t born until he was 100 years old!

Imagine having to wait on a promise that long!! That could become frustrating, especially if patience isn’t one of your strong points…

Patience is defined as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset.” Not practicing patience or believing impatience is a trait, isn’t necessarily correct as we can practice it, but it is up to ourselves. We can develop the capacity and learn to tolerate delay, trouble or suffering and teach ourselves not to become angry or upset. It won’t be easy but, like anything, the more it’s practiced the better we can become.

The Lord tells us:

As we wait on Him in hope, He Will renew our strength (Isaiah 40.31) This waiting will strengthen us in our nature and in our personalities. The more we put our hope and trust in Him, because that is what this is about, the more our patience will grow and as we come to Him, and probably more and more as time goes by, the closer to Him we can become. Now, I understand we could become impatient and again ask those questions… “Why not now?” and “when?” but we need to answer these questions with..”in the Lord’s timing.” Because…

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will,
Ephesians 1:11 NIV

Whatever happens, as long as we stay strong in Him and through His spirit, our relationship with Him will develop and so will our patience, giving us power, love and self discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

This supports Aristotle’s quote “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” As it’s patience we practice or endure and what comes out of this is fruit. Galatians talks about the fruit of the spirit, these are; love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self- control. It is these fruits can ripen, through things like patience, practicing control and by growing in our relationship with the Lord.

Along with plenty of others in life and in the Bible, Timothy also endured persecutions and suffering, however, he teaches us about how he deals with life amidst all of that. All the while demonstrating faith, patience and love (Chapter 3 verses 10-12).

There’s that patience and love again. Perhaps this is because with love for the Lord comes patience and with patience (for whatever it is we need to be patient for) we can develop love, both for God and for others.

We can use this formula to develop our own patience.

Do let me know how you get on or if you have any testimonies on how you have developed patience, so we can help and encourage one another.

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