The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Written By Melvin Jones

So far we've talked about three aspects of the fruit of the spirit. Those three are: Love, Joy, and Peace. Love was briefly described as looking out for the best for those around us. Joy and peace are tied to our acceptance of God's will in our lives and are totally independent of our circumstances. Each of these is driven by God working in our lives. Working from the list God provided in Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 and 23, we have six more characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit to take a look at. Continuing to follow the characteristics in the order they are presented, the next one is patience.

Is patience the ability to hold off as long as possible before unloading on your irritating husband? Or is it measured in terms of how long you can keep from telling your pushy boss what she can do with your job? Some have suggested that patience is the ability to bear the unbearable until you have gnashed your teeth down to the gums.

But all of these miss the mark. Patience isn't measured by our ability to bear misery, though certainly a patient person can do this. Neither is it measured by our ability to hold off on verbally blasting the person who has consistently plucked our last nerve. But again, patience would certainly help with this.

We are also placed in circumstances that are very trying. We experience things that make us want to give up, to act on our own, and sometimes to just ignore what God has said is right. If my wife is a jerk, why should I have to put up with her? Why shouldn't I just get a divorce? Everyone around me knows I would be right. Or if the sales clerk has been really unpleasant, why shouldn't I tell him a thing or two? After all, I'm the customer.

Romans Chapter 8, verse 28 through 30 says that all things work to my good. That is, all things work together for my good as God sees "good". And most of the time, God and I are not going to agree. I am sure that along the way, Joseph struggled with this as he went from his father's favorite son, to a slave in Egypt, to a prisoner in danger of dying, to the second most powerful man in Egypt, perfectly placed to help his father and brothers (Gen 50:20). He was patient. He was willing for God to work in him those things God wanted worked.

In the New Testament, a perfect example of patience is Jesus Christ. He suffered at the hand of unjust men to the point of death. But notice what it says in 1 Pet 2:22, 23. He did not respond to those around Him. Instead, he entrusted himself to Him who judges righteously. Patience is being will to allow God to exercise His righteous judgment, and being willing to forgoing my rights until he chooses to do so.

How many of us are willing to trust Him who judges righteously? Most of us want to get out there and right the perceived wrong, or pay someone back for offending us. We want to get out of a bad marriage just because "I don't have to put up with this"; or because I have a right to be happy. We want to leave the boss in the lurch when we find that new job.

But as I recognize that God brings all things into our lives for our good, and as we come to trust the character and wisdom of God, it becomes easier to trust Him in my life. As that happens, it becomes easier to face what may be happening in my life with patience. And of course, as I am patient, joy and peace are possible, even in the midst of a hard situation. And with the peace comes the ability to love the person who, at first glance, appears to be the source of my difficulties.