“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
Throughout the new testament, the believer is encouraged to develop patience. It is synonymous with being steadfast or longsuffering. I want you to understand patience as maintaining your position and composure; not becoming restless or easily annoyed. Look at patience as withstanding any opposing force to your God-given peace. For example, James 1:2-3 tells us that we increase in patience or endurance when our faith is tried by life experiences. Paul echoes the same sentiment in Romans 5:3: “Our suffering produces strength or endurance to patiently wait for the promises of God.” Let us look at this more in detail.
Patience, as a fruit of the spirit, comes when you maintain a consistent diet of eating the Word of God. Psalm 1 tells us to meditate on His Word day and night. When we take the time to meditate, we allow the Word to process more deeply in our spirit. The very essence of the scripture will add value to our faith! In this process, we repeat or mutter the scriptures to ourselves. We are matured by the revelation and the application such that when the enemy arises, the Holy Spirit is able to stand for us and protect our peace in the matter.
An important area that we can apply the fruit of patience is in regards to our finances. God is faithful to us when we commit to tithing and sowing seeds to various causes. Meditate on these passages. Repeat them over and over. Pray with them.
Malachi 3:9-11 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.”
Psalm 34:8-10 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Let me pray for you!
Father, In Jesus name, I apply my faith to the promises of your Word with the expectation that you will yield more patience in me. I ask that your Holy Spirit holds me steadfast, firmly planted and unmovable. Let patience maintain your love joy and peace in me so that I may yield goodly fruit and draw others to taste Your goodness in Jesus name, Amen!