Patience – we all need it, we all want it but how do we get it? It seems so elusive at times, especially when we’re angry, upset, or in a hurry, which is much of the time these days.
First of all, patience, the God-kind of patience is a fruit of your re-born spirit. And, as you know, fruit has to grow and develop. When you got born-again, your spirit came alive to God and you were endowed with godly fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [Longsuffering is patience.]
Throughout the scriptures, God uses natural things to explain spiritual things. So, just as natural fruit has to grow, develop, and mature, so does your fruit, patience being one of them.
You have the seed of patience but the way it develops is to USE it. Who would have guessed that’s how it works! Does that mean you have to actually practice patience to grow in patience? Yes! It might seem odd but that’s the way it works.
Hebrews 6:12 (KJV) 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Patience is necessary when you’re praying about something and waiting for the answer. It takes patience to wait for the manifestation. We all want instant results but it doesn’t always happen that way. Enter the fruit of patience. If there was no need for patience on our part, God would not have given it to us. But there is and He has.
Developing patience is the same as developing all the other fruit – practice. It’s like developing strong muscles. If you want strong muscles, you actually have to use and exercise your muscles. Just praying about strong muscles doesn’t get it. So it is with patience. Just praying for patience won’t work either. You already have the patience in your spirit. Your part is to exercise it so that it grows, develops, and matures.
One of the ways I practice patience on purpose is when I’m in line at the grocery store. (You know how that is!) I make myself be patient and wait my turn – joyfully. Besides, getting upset or frustrated doesn’t make the line go any faster! Sometimes I’ll even let someone else go in front of me. It’s a practical exercise and I feel good afterwards.
As you practice patience, you’ll find that it gets easier and you’ll begin to notice a change in yourself. But as I say, it will take effort on your part. You can do it. Go for it!
–— Pamela
Pamela Moyle Ministries 