Patience is a struggle for most of us. The Bible uses a farmer to exemplify what it means to be patient. The farmer plans, prepares the soil, and plants the seed at the right seasonal time. Then they wait and pray for rain and for God to produce the increase. They cannot stick the seed in the microwave and speed up the process. This is the long game. They wait and look forward with great expectation to the harvest.

The farmer has the joy of seeing the first spouts of life burst through the soil, the growth, the blooms and then seed pods beginning to form. This is a process, one that can be exciting and full of blessing, even in the waiting. What are we missing because of our rush to do and have everything now. What sweet fruit are we missing because we grasp for it and pick it too soon. When it is allowed to fully ripen, it is perfect and satisfying.

All that happens in life is part of God’s process of producing fruit in us. We don’t always feel good about what is going on in our lives, but with God in charge we can rest in the fact that He will produce the outcome, and it will be worth the wait.

We need everyday patience. Our lives are often interruped and disrupted by things that mess up our plan, our schedule, our “to do” list. People are always more important than the “to do” list. How we handle these day to day situations says much about our growth in the area of patience. Time doesn’t have to be the enemy.

We need enduring patience. We all go through seasons of suffering. Seasons when we wrestle with God and wonder “how long” we will be in this struggle. James reminds us to consider the prophets who suffered for doing God’s work and Job who was tested beyond what any of us can imagine. Because of Job’s perseverance, God blessed him more in the end than at the beginning, but it required great endurance and faith in the fact that God knows and everything will be alright in the end.

We also need to be aware that sometimes impatience is God-inspired. We need to engage our impatience in times when there is a immediate need, when a situation requires action on our part. Jumping in and doing God’s work is essential. We need to be ready to act to advance God’s Kingdom and reach souls for Jesus.

Don’t hurry, don’t worry! Allow God to produce the spiritual fruit of patience in you day by day. It’ll be alright!

Scriptures – Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB); John 15:8 (CEB); Proverbs 14:29 (NIV); James 5:7-11 (NIV); Psalm 46:10-11 (NRSV); James 1:3-4 (NIV); Exodus 20:8 (NRSV)

Verses – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Ga 5:22-23) Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (Pr 14:29) Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (Js 5:10-11)

Questions – Overall do you consider yourself a patient person or impatient? In what situation do you need to be more patient? With whom do you need to be more patient? Who is the most patient person you know? What other admirable qualities accompany the fruit of patience?

Prayer – Dear Lord, thank you for being patient with me, for continuing to love and guide me when I stumble and doubt. Allow me to trust you and your timing. I know that you hold the outcome securely in your hands. Produce in me the spiritual fruit that glorifies you. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.