Love is patient…. I Cor. 13:4a
Paul wrote about qualities that should be ever-increasing in the life of a Christian, but he did not write the plural “fruits of the spirit are,” but rather the singular, “the fruit of the Spirit is” (Gal. 5:22a). In other words, all nine of these traits are to be present, not just the few that we prefer or that come easier to us.
Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll quips that some people like to paraphrase the verse as, “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, etc.” because the fourth one, patience, is so hard for many of us, so we skip over it.
Have you heard of the so-called “Americans’ Prayer”? It goes like this: “Dear Lord, please give me patience, and I want it RIGHT NOW!”
That may make us smile, but waiting patiently is hard for most of us, even though it’s crucial in life. As someone pointed out, “when God wants to make a toadstool, it only takes one night; however, when God wants to make a mature oak tree, it takes a hundred years.”
Swindoll calls patience “God’s waiting room.” Just as we usually have to stand by before seeing a doctor or dentist, much of life…including seeing prayers answered…requires time.
Here are some other verses from the Bible about patience, (all from the NIV.)
- Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (Prov. 14:29)
- Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
- Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph. 4:2)
- Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (Prov. 16:32)
- Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Ps. 27:14)
Like any part of the Christian life, we are not to “grit our teeth” and try to accomplish this by our own strength or willpower. The first and crucial first step is confessing our sins, receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, and then relying on the Holy Spirit’s power to change us, gradually, from the inside out.
Have you put your trust in Christ?
S.D.G./S.G.D.