Be Patient!
By George Stroh
March 19, 2012
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:7-8)
I have noticed that lately I'm not as patient as I should be with people and with circumstances, even with traffic. Although I sometimes cleverly rationalize away my impatience, deceiving myself into thinking that I'm just in a hurry, a good steward of my time, doing important, godly things, the true is that my impatience is usually just selfishness and sin.
Being impatient with others, my circumstances or even traffic, is really being impatient with our sovereign God. Sometimes when I'm impatient with less mature Christians or unbelievers who are hopelessly blind to the gospel, I'm reminded that God has been more than patient with me. He was patient with me for 30 years before I finally heard the gospel and repented; The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Timothy 3:9)
The Lord continues to be patient with me today and I need to be more patient with others, acknowledging that He is in total control. Being patient can be hard, but always possible for us as Christians who enjoy the fruit of the Spirit; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.(Galatians 5:22-23) Notice that without patience, it is often impossible to manifest true love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Yes, there are some things, like false teachers and false doctrines, that we should be impatient about. But, in God's strength, let's all try to be more patient with others, with our circumstances, even with frustrating traffic, knowing that it is God's will that we be patient as He is so patient with us; Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Maranatha!
