Patience

​As the COVID-19 crisis continues, how is your patience?
I have a pretty good idea that the mandated quarantine and shutdown is causing your patience to wear a little, or a lot, thin. Getting testy. I know my patience is!
As the “blursdays” drag on, impatience is stalking all of us.
“Be patient” is a phrase I have loathed in the past.  I know patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-24. At times I have had conversations with the Lord about that. I mean, love, joy, peace etc. I can do that. But patience is not my personal forte’.
 But over the years of my walk with Christ, I have slowly, slowly learned that patience is my friend, especially when I am waiting for adverse circumstance to turn around.
Job’s story in the Bible inspires me. His life is one of faith, patience and endurance.
James writes “As an example brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count those blessed who endured.  You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” James 5:10-11
Job: an example of suffering and patience. A man of endurance when life was unbearable.
I encourage you to take some time and read through the entire book of Job. Yes, the whole book, all forty chapters, Read it as a continuing story.
The Cliff note version goes like this. Satan attacked Job. God allowed the devil to test him, but not kill him. Job’s sons and daughters lost their lives. Job’s servants, livestock, crops and wealth were wiped out.
His wife told him to “Curse God and die.” (Thank you for your love and support woman!). Job’s health deteriorated. He sat on an ash heap scraping boils off his body with rocks (I don’t like that picture). Three of his supposedly faithful friends, incessantly taunted him, accusing him of committing sin and evil while Job suffered.
During the trial that affected every part of his life, Job, like you and I would have, questioned God as to what He was up to. At a critical point Job declared “Though He slay me, I will trust in Him.”
 
Suffering. Enduring. Patient with the process. Job declared he would trust God no matter what. God was going to do. The Lord was not going to slay Job.
God is not in the business of killing His servants who go through severe seasons of suffering.
The end of the matter. Read chapter forty. Study it carefully. Be inspired.
Job’s faith was intact. He reveals that He now sees God in an even great way than before. When Job repented of his doubts and prayed for his accusing friends, the Lord restored double, that’s right, twice as much of everything that Job had lost.  For job’s sake, I hope his wife had a change of heart too!
Job is remembered as a faith hero. Job endured because he was patient.  
 How is your patience level with what is going on in our society? “Breaking News” dominated by bad news can definitely produce anxiety, fear and impatience in you and me. What in particular is testing your patience at this time?
Honestly, you and I aren’t facing anything like Job. So, if he had patient endurance because of faith in God, we certainly can!
Endurance is fueled by patience. Impatience sabotages endurance. Being patient with our faith gives us the strength to endure whatever adverse circumstances we may face.
Being Patient When Feeling Impatient

• Recognize the spirit of impatience. What triggers impatience in you? Know your foe if you want to defeat it.
• Resist the impulse to be impatient. Reject the impatience bug with all your might.
• When impatient, sit down. Take a deep breath. Maybe two. Or three. Then get up. Choose and resolve to be patient with your circumstance. Yes, patient!
• Tune out people who are impatient. Stay clear of them. Don’t catch what they have.
• Immerse yourself in God’s promises in the Bible. God’s Word has a calming effect on our impatient soul. Jesus taught “In your patience possess your soul.” Luke 21:19
• Bottom line: Patience is a measure of mature faith. Impatience is evidence of immature faith. Which kind of faith do you want to have, patient or impatient?
• Thank God for helping you to be patient when tempted to be impatient.

My friend, we may or may not be in the same boat. Whatever harbor our boat sails into depends on our attitude.
You and I get to choose patience or impatience.
Be patient. Trust God whether we stay locked down a little longer and, of course, when we are set free again.
“That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:12
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8
A Word For Your Week: Be patient with your impatience.