*Are you new to my Fruit of the Spirit Devotion Series? In order to get the best experience with the content, check out the following parts of this series before reading this one.
Post 1 (Introduction), Post 2, Post 3, and Post 4
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT)
Patience can be described as having self-restraint and being mindful in our thoughts and actions, even during any difficulties that we may face in life. The Holy Spirit produces the spiritual fruit of patience in us to make us more Christ-like in character.
Reflecting the Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
Patience is a characteristic that is important in our relationship with God, the relationship with oneself, as well as in relationships with other people. It’s true that not everyone is easy to get along with, to like, or to tolerate. But Christians are called not only to be loving, but also to be patient with everyone. Practicing patience leads to us having compassion.
The opposite of patience is being discouraged, the need to get revenge, and being aggravated. God wants to do away with these negative feelings, and instead, He wants fill us with praise! Being thankful for the people God has placed in our lives is the attitude that He wants us to have. Furthermore, praising God and being thankful cultivates a hopeful heart in us.
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! (Psalm 42:5-6 NLT)
Completly trusting God with the details of life helps us become more patient. The closer we walk with Him, the more we trust Him. It can be difficult to trust when disappointments come our way. Though it may seem dark and like things won’t work out, when we choose to trust, over the option to worry and to despair, patience grows strong in us.
Patience is not a passive behavior, but rather an indicator of true strength and maturity!
Application: Slow to Anger, Quick to Forgive
As we practice being more patient, we make it easier for to God work in our relationships. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Being calm, patient, and forgiving not only benefits us by spiritually maturing us, but it also benefits others because we can demonstrate the character of God to them.
Weekly Reflection: Why Strive to Be More Patient?
God is always patient with us, even in our disobedience and sin. Therefore, we should be patient with ourselves and with others, giving the same grace that is given to us over and over again.
Additional Verses to Further Study Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
Prayer Starter:
“I am grateful for your patience with me, Lord. Work within me to produce the level of patience that pleases You. I ask that you show me the areas of my life where I am lacking patience and I ask that you give me the opportunity to do what is needed.”
Next week, let’s explore of the Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness. Don’t forget to subscribe if you found this helpful and please share this with a friend! ? Thanks for reading!
Wishing you all a great week!
