Cultivating Spiritual FruitSample

Patience

"The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake..." 2 Peter 3:9a

Patience requires waiting, but waiting doesn’t guarantee patience. For example, when you are stuck in traffic or waiting for a traffic light to give you a signal to “go,” it’s common to grumble out negative words (especially if you’re running late). Alternately, you could choose to wait productively by reciting a Bible verse, singing to your favorite worship song, or praying. Patience sometimes means distracting ourselves from the pain of waiting.

Godly patience takes on a whole new meaning when waiting on the Lord. God waits, too. He waits in Heaven to have compassion on us, just like His justice waits. In fact, He longs to give us His compassion, and He’s yearning to show us His faithfulness (Isaiah 30:18). True patience means long-suffering. Likewise, God waits.

Spiritual patience, an important part of the fruit of the Spirit, gives us a proper focus. Instead of trying to escape the pain of a trial, we can learn to look back and marvel at the ability and strength of God who helps us through tough circumstances. Patience in trials sustains us through long waits. He sympathizes with our weaknesses and carries us through challenging times. Jesus was tempted in every way, resisting temptation with the Word of God, so that He can show us the way of patience.

We learn the godly kind of patience by waiting for God’s truth and justice to prevail. Our trials have a purpose, even the painful ones. God wastes nothing. When we endure patiently, we are transformed and develop Christ-like character. As you can see, patience is more than passive waiting, it’s an action that rests in the character of God.

Whether you’re waiting for your body to be healed, a baby to be born, a dream to build, your finances to improve, or a warrior to come home, exhibit godly patience. Using self-restraint curbs impulsiveness and impatience. As we walk with the Spirit, He gives us power to resist our negative impulses and grow in the waiting, producing the fruit of patience. Whether it takes 40 years (like the Israelites), 40 weeks (like the gestation of a human life), or 40 minutes (the average length of a podcast or two), patience will come and is worth waiting for.

How actively are you patiently waiting?