Patience
Galatians 5: 22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.
I wouldn’t say that I’m an impatient person, but then again I’ve never been known as one with loads of patience either. Frankly I never really thought about having patience or losing my patience until I became a mom.
Now I think about patience a lot. My oldest son is learning so many new skills and learning takes patience. If I get frustrated waiting for him to put his shoes on then he gets frustrated too. The basic lesson is: impatience gets us no where – fast!
Thanks to these Bible verses I’ve had a revelation about patience. The apostle Paul in writing to the Galatians lists these “fruits of the Spirit” because they are vital nourishment for whole lives.
The Galatians really needed to be reminded that these fruits come not from our own strength or ingenuity but from God. (Who doesn’t need that reminder?)
I need patience; but rather than possessing it – I receive it. It comes from turning to God daily, remembering my baptism, living in Christ.
I see now that I haven’t really lost my patience. Nor has the Spirit stopped offering fruits to me. But sometimes I stop the daily practices that make me attentive to receiving the fruits of the Spirit.
Abiding Spirit,
Thank you for always offering the fruits I need to live a balance life especially patience. Help me keep turning to you and receiving this nourishment.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
*Originally published in 2006 for Your Daily Bread.
