Patience

Patience is more than a virtue. It's one of the fruits of the Spirit that God wants us to cultivate as believers (Galatians 5:22).

The toxic fruit of impatience seems more abundant in our culture. I can think of some reasons for impatience. Not able to control everything and the things we try to control seem to frustrate us because it doesn't go right. Impatience can lead to quick and rash decisions. Driving while impatient can spell disaster.

The original word for patience is long suffering. The characteristic of patience is built and strengthen over time from many trying experiences where we have to choose long suffering over a quick fuse. Do we get it right every time? No. I believe God gives greater grace to those who come to Him for help even after failing.

We have a promise in James 1:4 that says, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (KJV). Impatience wants to snatch and grab at the first thing within reach. However, patience learns to temper the appetites under His control.

As a result, patience is actually fulfilling and satisfying. The word for lack in this Scripture means "I fall behind". With supernatural patience given by God we never fall behind and lack good things. Like the old adage, "good things come to those who wait".

Here's how we might cultivate patience:

1. consult God on every decision - small or big - He's pleased when we seek Him first
2. trust Him that He knows what is best (we have some great ideas but God's ways is always higher)
3. wait on Him rather than rush to take action - some things can wait - emotional decisions can be a mess!
4. in relationships ask God to heal places in your heart that generate a negative response - you will be surprised to learn what God reveals
to you about your source of impatience

From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God but You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him Isaiah 64:4 NIV).