"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23
Patience is a very strange animal... It's sometimes very worthwhile to wait for things - it builds character and helps us learn how to work for what we get. However, on other occasions, waiting for something can be a very bad idea - like waiting until Christmas Eve to buy presents (thank God I'm not in that boat right now).
So what is patience, really? Is it just waiting for something? I think not. At least as far as being a fruit of the Spirit is concerned, I would define patience as the ability to put one's own timing aside and replace it with God's timing. In most cases, that does end up meaning that you have to wait for something you really want. However, there are times when God calls us to act immediately - like helping a friend in need. I would argue that, in those times, a person who waits is being impatient: not following God's timing.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, get my schedule out of my way so that I can follow Your plan for my life. Open my ears to hear Your calling, move my feet to act when I'm called, and stop me from moving when You need me to be still. Amen.
So what is patience, really? Is it just waiting for something? I think not. At least as far as being a fruit of the Spirit is concerned, I would define patience as the ability to put one's own timing aside and replace it with God's timing. In most cases, that does end up meaning that you have to wait for something you really want. However, there are times when God calls us to act immediately - like helping a friend in need. I would argue that, in those times, a person who waits is being impatient: not following God's timing.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, get my schedule out of my way so that I can follow Your plan for my life. Open my ears to hear Your calling, move my feet to act when I'm called, and stop me from moving when You need me to be still. Amen.
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