Wait for It

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” Gal. 5:22 ESV

There are days where I think, “Gee, maybe I did one of these sections of the fruit pretty well… Let me see…maybe even for most of the day!” You know what? I don’t think I have ever said that when it comes to the fourth one. Patience. I have been given this moniker as a sarcastic nickname from a friend. Well, truth be known, I’m actually “P2”, his wife is “P1”. 🙂

I looked up the definition of patience as I was writing this. I was okay with the first definition. This one, the second, makes me squirm and blush. “An ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.” Oh boy! I have an incredibly long way to go on that one.

Since the Bible calls out patience as a very good thing, there must be reason for us to embrace it and make patience a part of our being. I don’t see an escape clause with this one, do you? It sounds like if we want to be a shining example of God’s love, this characteristic is a must.

The good news is, we daily we live on a 24-hour do-over clock. We can start again, and we don’t have to try to do it on our own. God, in His infinite grace, will help us along the way. That gives us hope! We can do this. And it comes with benefits.

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.” Psalm 37: 7-9 ESV

Inherit the land! Sounds like a promise worth waiting for. I’m in.

– RG