Are you patient? We all get impatient with our circumstances and people. If it wasn’t for all the irritations in life we’d be more patient, right? Life is not that simple is it?
Webster’s says patience is the power of suffering with fortitude, an uncomplaining endurance of evil, wrongs, insult, oppression or calamity. So, how’s that going for you?
God’s patience is described in the Old Testament as long suffering or slow to anger. There are several examples of God’s patience in the bible. God waited no less than 120 years with warnings before the flood. He patiently waited and pursued His people over the centuries.
To further display His patience with His people God directed the prophet Hosea to marry an adulterous wife who kept going back to her lovers, yet Hosea took her back repeatedly. God was giving the Hebrews a vivid example of his utter commitment and faithfulness to His people, despite their unfaithfulness to Him.
In Hosea we see a broken hearted God telling Israel, “Don’t you know how much I love you?” Israel rejected all the prophets and ultimately His own dear son. Jesus said, they (Israel) have not rejected me they have rejected their God – their Father. God’s patience is a display of his mercy.
Moses, the mediator between God and the Hebrews passionately appealed to God’s longsuffering on their behalf. Sometimes we too push God to a limit and He lovingly says to us, ‘please don’t, please stop, this will not end well for you.’
How utterly patient God is with a world that does such brazen and unimaginable things. He has been patient with Israel and with us as well. Some of us were part of the culture that has no concern for God and to primarily please ourselves. Yet, by His indescribable grace God placed us into His family and called us to be His own kids. He gave us forgiveness, purpose and an inheritance that will never go away, but oh how shallow our gratitude can be.
He has been very kind and patient, waiting for you to change, but you think nothing of his kindness. Perhaps you do not understand that how kind God is to you so you will change your hearts and live. Romans 2:4 NCV
Knowing and applying God’s incredible patience is reflected in growing in gratitude towards God.
How long does God put up with you and I? How long is His fuse towards you and me? Oh, how utterly patient He has with me over years! Have I been a model of consistency? NO, absolutely not! Have I tested the patience of god? YES!
Think of the fuse length God has for you. Will you allow him to lengthen your fuse with other people? How long is your fuse, have you assessed that? It’s not fun to be around people with short fuses is it? Would you agree that God wants to lengthen your fuse?
Are we growing in patience towards others?
Kids can help us. A little girl asked her Mom, “How come there are so many jerks in our city?” “Why would you say that?” “Well, when I was with daddy in the car today and we sure saw a lot of jerks.”
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than he who takes a city… A patient man has great understanding but a quick tempered man shows folly… a man’s wisdom gives him patience. Proverbs 16:32; 14:29; 16:32
God sees all sides, not just ours. How many poor choices are made because we’re in a hurry or under pressure? We don’t like to wait do we? Patience is a rare quality scarcer than diamonds, but far more precious. The ability to accept delay graciously, calmly and understandingly reflects our trust in Christ.
Be completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Patience is a long haul, not a sprint, a marathon and not a 50 yard dash. How do you respond when you’re in a hurry or can’t seem to wait? When your expectations aren’t met is it your tendency to throw your hands up or roll your eyes? If you want the best possible relationships remember God’s patience with you and be patient with other peoples’ progress.
