PATIENCE PERSONIFIED
EQUIPPED: LIVING WITH FAITH-FILLED PERSEVERANCE EVEN UNDER PRESSURE - DAY 16
My husband is patience personified. I watch him sometimes as he sits across the table from a difficult person and listens with rapt attention and smiles instead of shaking his head in disbelief at their foolish arrogance. Bruce never seems to speak out of turn, and he always finds a way to respond with grace. Over the last year, two of his lost friends have made a significant shift in their unprincipled lifestyle and expressed an interest in Christ — all because of Bruce’s quiet example.
Jesus modeled a long-suffering attitude for us as He endured the agony of the cross to save us from sin. He persisted in what He knew was God’s purpose and prevailed despite all the shame and opposition He received. Even though our blind foolishness deserves no mercy, our Deliverer stood firm in His resolve.
James encourages the new believers to patiently await the Lord’s return like a farmer who plants seed and waits for the abundant harvest. We are to continue to love even when it’s hard — just as Jesus did. Through our quiet example, God displays His mercy to the watching world. The Apostle Paul explained this principle in his letter to Timothy: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (I Timothy 1:15-16) We are called to be patience personified in a world where people often fail to slow down, see their sin debt, and acknowledge their need for a Savior.
As people all around us blindly hurry and hustle forward with no fear of God, we must “stand firm.” A woman who has submitted her life to Jesus makes a commitment to daily surrender her thoughts, her actions, and her emotions to His control. Our heart will remain established in Truth as we trust Him and obey His Word.
I am reminded that sowing to the Spirit requires work on my part. I must tend to my heart and make sure that it’s fertile ground for God’s Word to take root and grow. This means I need to uproot the bitterness, discontent, fear, and unbelief that tries to ingrain in my thoughts and emotions. Everything that poisons my faith needs to be stripped away. I need to resolve to daily intake God’s Word and trust that fruit is on its way as I keep watering that spiritual seed.
Friend, growth takes time. Keep cultivating your faith and know every seed you sow will reap a beautiful return when Christ comes back to make your redemption complete. In the meantime, just keep looking to Jesus and ask Him to strengthen your resolve. His Spirit will fill you up with the fruit of long-suffering, and people will take notice of how you too are “patience personified.”
Lord, I want to learn to wait well. May the example of Jesus on the cross encourage my weary heart to persevere when it’s hard. Help me to trust You are at work and will bring an abundant harvest as I pray and patiently wait for the fruit to appear. Amen