Patience As A Fruit Of The Spirit

It seems nowadays that everyone is getting a little less patient. We get it! It’s a hard time. There’s a never-before-seen viral outbreak, wars, and rumours of wars, high inflation rate, high cost of goods, and high gas prices.

So it’s understandable.

You may see normal working moms more irritable and frustrated. You may see a dad yelling at his co-workers a little more. Your own family members may strike out at you or even worse become aloof.

Don’t be surprised to see these situations. In fact, lend a helping hand and be compassionate whenever you see them.

Many people are fighting battles with their own mental peace and will act out in odd ways. People may also make bad decisions, cause chaos, or get embroiled in confusing and terrible circumstances.

But that’s where you as a child of God should step in. Take some time and see how you can relax your mind to the peace of God.

The Peace That Passes All Understanding

Many people know the phrase that Jesus provides a “peace that passes all understanding.” However, we tend to skip over terms or not study them to see what it means or how they came to be.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

As you can see, the terminology came from Philippians 4, Verse 6 which has some amazing bits of scripture. The admonition that God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds actually is sandwiched between two main thoughts that each have different layers to them.

Firstly, you are to rejoice in God. Why? Since it will assist to remind you to be gentle and that He is near to you. Giving praises, praying, and making obeyance to God also make you less anxious.

Secondly, you are to concentrate on the truth. Why? Because whatever is of good report, shows kindness, does honourable things, or follows great Godly mentorship will eventually cause the peace of God to be near.


Fruit Of The Spirit

The Apostle Paul who wrote the letter to the church in Philippi did so in a joyful manner even though he was in prison. In fact, how the church in Philippi started was through him getting a vision of not going to another region in Asia and instead to proceed to Macedonia (Acts 16).

However, when Paul went to Philippi, he met upon opposition from a soothsayer who he had to cast a devil out of. When the multitude saw that all hope for their monetary gain was lost they locked Paul up in prison and he was eventually freed in the midnight hour by a great earthquake. Paul and his companion Silas were so relaxed and patient that they were singing psalms and praying while in that prison before being let out.

It seems after he was locked up again in Rome while writing to the Philippians his patience and joy had increased one-hundred-fold with God.

But he didn’t only tell us a bit about how to find God’s peace that transcends everything, he also taught us the fact that patience is a fruit of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) mentions that “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Forbearance is another term for patience. Once you are in tune with God, try to exhibit the love and self-control that will lead you to a more patient life. Do it for yourself but also for others who need it most.

Whenever someone snaps at you or gets angry, do the Godly thing and be patient and help to bear a burden. If you see someone struggling in courage, hope, or discipline, be encouraging, kind, show faith in them, be just, and show mercy.


You Are A Branch Of God

The more of God’s fruit we eat and then put back out into the environment, the less disorder we tend to see. In delving into His patient fruit we start to become more Christ-like. And God is the perfect model to follow for patience because he’s known as the “Prince Of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

In fact, Jesus Himself said that we should follow Him and become engrafted into His word. In Jesus’ famous talk about Him being “The True Vine” (John 15:1-17), we learn that many times we need to be built back up or pruned to come to the fulness of our measure in Christ. In this season, think about how being more patient may serve you, your peace of mind, and your interactions with your family members.

The writer of Psalm Chapter 1, gives another beautiful agricultural description of the nature of growing up with God.

“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3

Patience not only assists you to be calmer and less anxious. It guides you through God’s word, makes you fruiful, productive and prosperous.
 

Jesus Gives Peace That Is Not Of This World

When Jesus told his disciples that He would be going away, but that the Holy Spirit would come to be with them through life, He made another well-recited phrase about peace. 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

The disciples waited patiently for the coming of this promise which manifested on the Day of Pentecost. And over time, the transcendent, spiritual nature of God started to be revealed in them with power and grace.

May it be, that you are patient to have God visit you. Let your heart be chastened by His word to good fruitful work. And let your mind become more thoughtful in goodness and faith.

The Fruit of Patience is possible for you. But you have to bite into God’s word some more. Taste of Him and see that He is good! Walk in righteousness and be at peace.