We all have that one thing, perhaps more than one, that really Tries our Patience, right? For me – it’s tangled Christmas lights! I have no issues waiting in long lines, being stuck in traffic jams, listening to toddlers throw a tantrum… but hand me a ball of tangled Christmas lights and it won’t take long for steam to start coming out of my ears!
What is patience anyway? It’s one of the qualities expected to emerge, to grow, in any of us who are trying to be followers of Jesus, trying to “live by the spirit”.
Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without acting angry or upset (that is, remaining calm). Patience is also defined as the ability to give attention to something for a long time without becoming bored or losing interest.
In a more biblical definition, patience is the quality of restraint that prevents us from speaking or acting hastily in the face of disagreement, opposition, or persecution. The bearing of pain or problems without complaining.
Other words used in place of patience in some bible translations include forbearance and longsuffering.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. Galatians 5:22-23
The Galatians verse describing the fruit of the spirit is only one of many references to the word patience or patient in holy scripture.
- Hebrews 6:15 reminds us how patiently Abraham waited to receive what God had promised him.
- James 1:19 describes patience as being quick to listen and slow to become angry
- Proverbs 19:11 informs us that wisdom yields patience
- Colossians 3:12 recommends that we clothe ourselves with patience
- And one of the most recited verses at weddings – 1 Corinthians 13:4 – celebrates the ideal “Love is patient”
As soon as I start meditating on the word patience, I will undoubtedly find myself humming an old eighties song by Guns-N-Roses…. A whistling haunting melody, with the repeating chorus: “all we need is just a little patience, ooooh yeah…”.
It’s hard to read the news today and not feel my patience wearing thin. I think about how I could tell if my parents were losing their patience – they say things like “You’re getting on my nerve, kid.” Or “if I have to tell you one more time…”
As a parent now myself, I laugh at these words now coming out of my own mouth!
The year 2020 will definitely be one of top of the list of trying my patience. The shut-down caused by Covid19 put most people’s patience to the test. Facing the sadness of isolation, the disappointment of special events being cancelled, the fear of death… it was difficult enough to be patient with myself and my immediate family, let alone neighbors and strangers. Yet scripture says in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 that we are to “be patient with everyone”. That’s an aspirational goal in the middle of a pandemic!
The key to understanding the fruit of the spirit – is that we can’t make or force the fruit to grow, blossom, or thrive.
Having our patience tried over and over and over isn’t what determines if our fruit of patience will grow. What does? It’s the spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, bible study, worship, service, and solitude – any practice that connects me to Christ and allows the Holy Spirit to dwell more deeply and thoroughly within me – this is the path to growing patience.
Our work is to stay connected to the vine – that is, Christ. His work is to produce the fruit.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Patient during pain, disease, sickness, trials, problems, suffering. Isn’t that asking too much? Yes, it is. By ourselves, we cannot remain patient in affliction. But with Christ, in Christ, powered by the Holy spirit, patience can grow out of us.
I look to the crucifixion to see a demonstration of being patient in affliction. Jesus, the one who healed the lame, raised the dead, fed thousands from a few loaves & fishes, calmed stormy seas… He had the power to expedite his death on the cross, to ease his own suffering, but he didn’t.
He accepted the suffering without complaint, without lashing out at those around him. He spoke words of compassion and forgiveness as he hung in pain. Christ had to be patient on the cross in order to bring scripture & the prophecies to complete fulfillment, in order for Him to become our Savior.
There’s a hymn that says it like this: “He could have called 10,000 angels, to set him free. He could have called 10,000 angels, but he died for you and me.”
1 Corinthians 13:4 is right.
LOVE IS PATIENT.
I need only look at the cross to witness it.
Amen