A couple of years ago, my 10 year-old grandson excitedly asked, “Are you ready for your first lesson on your new iPad, Nana?” We sat side by side on the sofa. Instead of  grabbing it away from me to do it himself, he went step by step, ever so patiently, telling me how to navigate my way around—a great example of patience!

Patience. We may sigh and say, “If I’m going to have patience, it will indeed have to be a gift.” Patience smacks of waiting and enduring—even when you’re fighting frustration inside. Well there’s the problem—what’s on the inside? Gifts of the Spirit are more about what we are than what we do. If what we are isn’t in check, then what we do loses its strength.

I’m knee-deep in the process of starting my next book. At this point, the Lord has given me only a partial skeleton of the plot—real partial, like three vertebrae, two fingers and a toe bone. However, because of previous experience, I realize He gives just what I need for the time being. As I faithfully follow those leads, He will reveal more. Patience. In that sense, patience means waiting.

The Lord impressed a favorite verse on me during a very trying time in my life.

Those who hope in the Lord (or as KJV says, “wait upon the Lord”) will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

I grew to understand that in order to walk, run, or best yet, soar on wings like the eagles, I had to wait, but not just sit idly by; I had to wait on the Lord. In His time, He miraculously turned things around. 

We’re not talking about waiting with a grumbling and complaining attitude or stomping a foot at God with a fist in the air. What’s in the heart will eventually show itself. No, the Scripture means to patiently wait, wait with expectation and hope, anticipating that He will grow us along the way so we can walk, then run, and eventually soar!

We have those times when we are so exasperated with loads of activity or expectations, or relationships with bosses, co-workers, friends or family members, etc. It is all we can do to endure. It isn’t so much a matter of waiting, but enduring. Both carry heavy negative connotations unless we draw the fruit of patience from the Holy Spirit. So what is patience? In many ways, it is closely akin to peace. It is calm in the midst of frustration. When love is present, it puts a positive slant on our ability to have patience. If we have joy in our soul, it subdues our lack of patience. All the fruit fit together, don’t they?

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be;

May I devote my life wholly to Thee:

Watch Thou my wayward feet, Guide me with counsel sweet;

Purer in heart, help me to be.

Remember from last week—Inhale the Spirit, Exhale anxiety.

~ Joyce ~