How often have we prayed: “God give me what I’m asking for, and please hurry!”?  If we are honest with ourselves, I’m pretty sure that we pray this prayer quite often, and in fact, too often! We all need to remember that when it comes to making requests to God, His answer can either be: “YES!” “NO!” or “WAIT!” And if God’s answer is “WAIT,” then we just need to be “PATIENT!” And we can all attest to the fact that learning to wait on God is a challenge, even though we know that God is working “behind the scenes” working out His purposes in the trials and sufferings we are facing.

So, what does God’s Word say about patience? We must first recognize that “patience” is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), that is, if we are filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, patience will be one of the fruits that is produced. Patience reveals our faith in God’s timing because we realize that our heavenly Father knows what is best in every situation. And let’s remember that while we wait, God is not expecting us to be passive onlookers, but active participants in His unfolding plan, the details of which are not yet known to us. Consider what the writer of Hebrews has to say:

“Therefore, since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

The word “patience” in this verse actually should be translated as “endurance.” In fact, the Greek word for “patience” is hupomone, which can also be translated as “endurance.” Typically, the noun form of the word is translated as “patience,” while the verb form is translated as “endurance.” That’s why we often see the two words combined as “patient endurance.” And so, as we run the “race of life,” God wants us to be “patient” with the trials that we face as we “endure” the rigors of the race that is set before us.

Furthermore, we are all aware that patience is not developed overnight as God wants us to learn to rely on His power in order to carve patience into our lives. Paul tells us that we are strengthened by His power for patience and endurance (Colossians 1:11), and James tells us that God uses trials to develop patience in us to help us grow in our faith (James 1:3-4).

King David knew all about the need for patience, as he exhorts us to:

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not get frustrated over the one who prospers in all he does, nor over the man who carries out evil deeds” (Psalm 37:7).

The Bible provides many examples of those who exercised patience, some of them while “facing suffering” (James 5:10). And the writer of Hebrews reminds us that Abraham “waited patiently and then received what was promised (Hebrews 6:15). And, of course, our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated “patient endurance” while enduring the cross, despising its shame, knowing that He would soon be sitting at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 12:2).

How can we learn to practice patience in our lives? We begin by thanking God for the trial or situation that is causing us anxiety, knowing that our “patience” will result in learning to trust God. And sometimes, God puts us in challenging situations so that we can be a witness to others as they see our “patience” and the “peace” that results from it. And finally, we can’t forget the wonderful promise given to us by the Apostle Paul,

“And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Let’s remember that in Christ, we are no longer in bondage to sin and our “old nature,” but we are “new creations” in Christ who can, by His strength, be patient, even in times of trial and suffering.

Blessings to all, and I hope to see you next week.