Read | Romans 5:1-4
The list called "fruit of the Spirit" includes "patience" (Gal. 5:22-23), but that doesn't mean the Holy Spirit wills it into the believer's life. Instead, He acts as our ever-dependable teacher and the one who enables our growth. Spiritual fruit matures over time as we obey the Lord and surrender to His will.
Patience with both God and our fellow man is an outgrowth of deepening faith. The Holy Spirit urges believers to take note of the Lord's handiwork on the journey through life. Our confidence in Him is nurtured by answered prayer, the rich blessings that arise unexpectedly from difficult circumstances, and every trace of good that God salvages from a bad situation. As our trust in His goodness and sovereignty grows, we find ourselves more willing to wait for God's solutions and outcomes.
In fact, I believe that recognizing God's sovereignty is key to developing patience. A significant part of surrendering to His absolute control is waiting upon Him to do what He will. We are wise to realize that our lives unfold according to His master plan--exasperated toe tapping doesn't bother Him a bit. God expects His children to step into His timeline and practice patience no matter what pace He sets.
Patience doesn't come naturally. That's why we have the Holy Spirit. He strengthens our resolve to endure without complaint when progress seems sluggish. After all, God is slow only from a human standpoint. From a divine, eternal perspective, He's always working at the perfect speed.
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from Intouch Magazine, April 2012 issue
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