Patience is a Virtue in Christian Life
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In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us imposters.
2 Corinthians 6:4,6,8 (NLT)
I used to drive aggressively, swerving around cars cautiously turning right, using the shoulder to pass cars turning left, groaning when drivers slowed for yellow lights. Although I never honked my horn, my thoughts blared.
Stress!
In an attempt to live my faith, I began showing kindness, inviting cars to go ahead, waiting for turning cars, and pulling over to let tailgaters speed along their way.
Amazingly, I still get where I’m going and I feel calm.
When the church was just starting, patience set Christians apart from others in society. Patience meant waiting well, but also encompassed endurance, non-violence, and trust. They didn’t pounce on debtors who paid late and sometimes forgave loans. When insulted, they didn’t retaliate but responded with kindness. They loved their enemies and wore their oppressors out with patience. Impatience showed a lack of faith.
We are patient because God is patient. (tweet this)
He does not compel belief, but patiently hopes to draw us close. Jesus epitomized patience. He kept a low profile, shouldered criticism and challenges to his authority, forced no one, ate with anyone, and rejected violence. His accusers mocked and spat on Him, but He did not call down angels in defense.
Patience is grounded in trust, a certainty that God will make everything right. We need not retaliate. God will judge. We need not worry. God will provide. We need not argue with critics. God will illuminate the truth. We can wait and trust God’s timing.
Would you be attracted to such a community?
How can we stand apart from the mainstream by exhibiting more patience?
#SeedsofScripture #patience #trustGod #Godstiming
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Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
I enjoyed reading your post. What stood out to me is that kindness and patience are attractive qualities and have the potential of attracting others to Jesus without using words.
That was exactly their belief. They didn’t evangelize. They embodied the gospel and people noticed. Then, new believers went through 3 years of mentored catechesis and had to demonstrate their changed life before officially becoming part of the church.
That’s a good gift I still work to improve upon my friend. It seems there are days when I stand in front of the microwave and implore it to “Hurry up!” As that adage goes, it is indeed a virtue. Thanks for the patient reminder.
I’m working on it every day too. But overall, I do know my inner core has been changed by the Spirit toward having more patience.
If only patience were easier! 😉 I think one way we can stand out as believers when it comes to patience is sharing why we can have patience. Because there are certainly non-believers who have patience, but it stems from their own efforts. Since our patience comes from the Holy Spirit, we have an amazing opportunity to talk about our Savior!
We indeed need to be ready to answer the question about why we have patience when asked. Words are necessary, but the first step is a changed life through the Spirit. The early church did not evangelize but relied on their way of life to attract new believers. Then, they mentored them in the gospel as the new believers lives were changed by the Spirit.
Their patience and the way they modeled their faith in daily life are such examples for us today! Their lives HAD to look different for people to take notice. Thanks for this post … and for slowing down 🙂 !
In many ways, the Christian community today blends in with the surrounding culture rather than standing apart. We’re known for judging others rather than loving others – known for what we don’t believe in rather than what we do. I’m glad I slowed down Erin. My stress level was crazy.