PATIENCE IS POWER

We live in a world that is most impatient. I was waiting to see a physician in a hospital and I was the next to go. I was waiting and waiting for the patient to come out. It took nearly 45 minutes for that patient to come out. I became impatient; my wife who accompanied me also got impatient. When the Doctor checked my BP it shot up to 160. I usually have normal BP. But it had gone up – because of my impatience. Most of the time we don’t realize how impatience affects our body. We live in the “I want it now” generation. Everything is fast-paced. If we are not careful, we can soon get caught up in the “I want it now” and “I am in a hurry” mentality.

According to Oxford Dictionary, ‘Patience’ is “the ability to accept delay, trouble, or suffering without angry or upset”. Patience is one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that can be difficult for believers. Not only is it a necessary part of our walk with God, but it also couples uncertainty. So when uncertainty arises, how are we to act? How are we to be patient? As always, let us dig down deep into God’s Holy Word and find real, solid truths about patience.

Patience is how you conduct yourself in the situations, which come your way.
We must have patience in the midst of our trials. Remaining calm and having
a cheerful disposition and with a good attitude, by the grace of God, walk
through the situation. Whether it is sitting in a traffic jam on the way to work
or sitting in a restaurant, awaiting your meal or enduring a major trial such as
a sickness or losing one’s job, etc., we must have patience.

After walking with Christ for over 60 years, Apostle John at the end of his life declared that he was a companion in the suffering and tribulation and patient endurance which are in Jesus Christ. (Rev. 1:9). In Romans 15:5, we read that the Lord gives the power of patient endurance. In Hebrew 12:1, we are taught to run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.

As believers when we go through times of grief, agony, despair and all other kinds of trials and tribulations, if we choose to be patient, we will naturally draw towards God through prayer and worship. Patience means that we are going to wait and rely on God’s timing. When we rely on God’s timing, we can focus directly on Him and spend quality time with Him. When you learn to fully trust in God, patience may not necessarily get easier, but you can bet that your relationship with the Father will grow stronger.

All over the Bible there are stories of men and women experiencing trials and tribulations. The reactions vary from many of them. Some grumbled against God because of lack of water (Exodus 15:24), others worshipped God in trials and adversity (Job 1:20), others cried out to God in despair (Psalm 18:6), and the list goes on. What is important is that we all have a choice. We get to decide how we are going to act when adversity hits. We can be patient and wait on God, or we can be impatient and act on our own accord. The men and women from Exodus 15:24 above chose to grumble and be impatient. Job and David from the other two verses mentioned above acted rightly. Job fell down and worshipped God in his afflictions. He remained steadfast and patient through his torment. Likewise, David did the same. “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice and my cry to Him reached His ears.” (Psalm 18:6)

MOSES’ POOR DECISION

In Numbers 20:2-5, the congregation of people that Moses was leading was mad and grumbling at Moses saying things like, “Why have you made us come out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grains..and there is no water to drink.” (Numbers 20:5) At this point in Moses’ journey, he had heard complaint after complaint from the people. I can imagine how frustrated he was with them. However, in the verses following, God gave Moses a very simple command, “tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water.” (Numbers 20:8) Instead of speaking to the rock as commanded, Moses calls the people “rebels” (Numbers 20:10) and proceeds to hit the rock with his staff twice. Because of his lack of patience with the people, he made a poor decision and God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 20:12) One simple, selfish decision cost Moses the promises and blessings of the Promised Land.

ABRAHAM – THE FATHER OF MANY NATIONS

God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. But when the promise was first given (Genesis 12:1-3) Abraham and his wife Sarah did not have any children. God continued to restate His promise to Abraham through the years (Genesis 13:6; 15:1-6; 17:6-8; 18:10). Abraham, though known as a man of faith, took his wife’s suggestion and had a child with Sarah’s handmaid. The son’s name was Ishmael. But this was not the son God intended for Abraham. (Genesis 16). Finally when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old God gave them their son Isaac. Though it took years of patiently waiting, they received the promise of God. Hebrews 6:15 says of Abraham, “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

JOSEPH – FROM PIT TO PRISON TO PALACE

Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave (Genesis 37:27, 28). Though he did not understand all that was happening, he trusted God to work out His plan in His time. Joseph patiently worked faithfully in each situation he was in. He waited for God to fulfill His promise that Joseph would be a leader of his people (Genesis 37:5-11). He had to be patient as he believed God, but probably wondered why he was sitting in a prison cell. God did lift Joseph up to great power and responsibility. Not only was he a leader of his people, but he ruled over the people of Egypt too. Patience was needed to allow God to accomplish His purposes in the life of Joseph and his family.

JOB – THE MAN OF PATIENCE

Probably the best known story of patience in the Bible is the life of Job. To prove Job’s faithfulness to the Lord, God allowed the devil to destroy everything Job owned (Job 1). Job was a wealthy man. He lost his crops, property, cattle and servants. But most devastating of all was when Job lost his children. However, Job did not blame God. He accepted that God had a plan and would be patient for God to reveal His plan.

Job’s friends came to council him. They tried to find out what great sin Job had committed to deserve the punishment he received. Job would not admit to any sin. Job knew that sometimes bad things happen to good people.Often people will talk about the patience of Job. He knew God had a plan and was willing to accept what God allowed in his life. In the end God restored to Job twice as much as he had in the beginning (Job 42:10).

So, you may be at a fork in the road right now. Whatever your problem may be, you must make a decision. Will you be patient and wait on God, or be impatient and act on your own will? I pray that you will stay patient my friends through all of your hardships. Wash yourself with the Word and let it nourish you and give you peace that passes all understanding. Pray to your Father in heaven and lay your burdens at His feet. God bless you as you live a life worthy of the calling! More patience in the family would mean less broken houses. Lengthening our patience is the best way to shorten our troubles. When we loose patience, we loose everything. All good things we have done can be destroyed by one act of impatience. The ultimate victory of the saints over Satan is through patience (Rev. 13:10; 14:12).

PATENCE IS POWER!

Prayer: Our dear Father, give me the grace to be patient in dealing with problems that creep-in, in my life. Lead me to victory through patience. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.