Developing patience with circumstances recognizes God is in control, working all things for our good and the good of others as we are reminded in Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose”. We do not call the shots! It is not our screenplay to write, it is God’s work to direct.
Learning to have patience with self, first recognizes our sinful nature then realizes the need to fight against worldly desires and thinking. We should not be surprised that we mess up! We are in need of a Savior. We are entirely dependent on Jesus’ sacrifice for our eternal redemption, and His power to live in the present according to His will. It is good to be impatient with sin that continues to hold us, yet if we live in the guilt of recounting our many failures, we fail to understand who we are. We are to be patient with our weakness as God leads us through circumstances that grow our dependence on Him. We will not be perfect until we are fully sanctified in heaven. If you have accepted Christ as Lord and Master of your life, He has chosen you. Ask for forgiveness, claim His forgiveness, and move forward to be used by Him. I love the encouraging words in Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”.
Read the truths in 1 John 1:6-9, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and [yet] walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
Having patience with others is perhaps the most obvious struggle for the majority of us. We are inherently proud. Even if you don’t think you are proud, the Bible will tell you otherwise. Proverbs 14:12 speaks of the result of our pride, “There is a way [which seems] right to a man, but its end is the way of death”.
So how do we develop the patience we are told to have for others?
We look at the perfect example of Jesus. Even when He was falsely accused, he did not fight to share His opinion (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; Matthew 27:14). When I attempt to consider the patience Jesus constantly extends towards me, it is impossible to comprehend. Who am I then, to show any amount of impatience towards others?
Patience is to be exercised toward all those around us. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “And we urge you, brethren admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men”. This patience spoken of is longsuffering. This is not a one-time thing, like saying ‘I was patient’. It is continued, enduring patience.
Consider the opposite reaction of having patience with others. Impatience shows itself in having a short-temper, often being critical of another and having an attitude of tolerating an individual rather than trying to encourage them.
We must address pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8 tells us that being patient in spirit is better than being proud in spirit. Pride, or the feeling of self-worth, satisfaction and self-elevation is not a character any of us wishes to be attached to our name. Yet it shows itself in many discreet ways. Do you know the best way to do something, or the only way? Are you willing to adapt your thinking to meet another (unless it is against God). Do you quickly take issue with those things are neither here or there? These thoughts lead to impatience with others. Can you accept personal criticism? Are you quick to defend yourself? Do you use words that cause another to feel small? Are your interests more important than the concerns of others? Are others constantly not quick enough for you, or exact enough or performing to your liking? All of these questions address a heart that is holding itself above others.
In order to grow in our patience with others, we need to keep ourselves off the throne and be certain God is the One we live for. It is not about us, it is all about Him. The questions above may be difficult to sincerely address but our mindset needs to be focused on our own deficiency and need of Christ if we are to hold others above ourselves, encouraging one another with His love.
I often use this prayer in Colossians –
“…We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please [Him] in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:9-12).
Be encouraged as you grow in patience towards all men. Seek to squash pride in your heart and solicit patience. “And let endurance have [its] perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4).
Focus heavenward with me, Sharyn.
