The Timely Truth for this week is ... PATIENCE

“Never pray for patience” is a common Christian warning. It is often spoken with a bit of a laugh because we know serious patience is developed through adversity.

The apostles are notable examples. According to historical accounts, John was boiled in oil, forced to drink poison, treated with cruelty and reproach, and was banished in exile for two years. As an elderly man, he slept on a stone slab with a rock for a pillow and experienced the grief of losing his friends and companions as they were martyred one by one. Yet he identified himself as a partner in the patient endurance that is in Jesus (Revelation 1:9).

Paul was often cold, hungry, thirsty and unable to sleep. He was shipwrecked three times, imprisoned for more than five years, falsely accused, stoned and repeatedly flogged and beaten. Jews, Gentiles, and false Christians persecuted Paul. Still, he wrote: “we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope” (Romans 5:3b-4). These men developed “super-sized” patience.

The Greek word for “patience” means “long-suffering” and “slow-tempered.” In our instant, microwave, drive-through, short attention span theater, and I-want-it-now culture, patience is hard to come by. Folks get anxious waiting five seconds for their computer screen to organize itself. They change lines at the supermarket if they see more than three folks ahead of them. They get downright angry in heavy traffic.

We are a driven culture. With that driven behavior comes opportunities for misunderstandings, inappropriate conclusions and flared tempers. But James, the half-brother of Jesus, cautions us: “You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

Paul’s letters to the Ephesians were written to encourage them with Christ’s teachings and to remind the new believers to be thankful for God’s immeasurable blessings. His challenge to suffering servants was to be long-suffering with their adversaries, and like James, He instructed: “All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Mature believers are to be marked by patience. That is easier said than done.

Scripture reveals three aspects of Biblical patience.

Enduring negative circumstances. In Genesis 12 we read that God promised Abraham that a great nation would come from him. He and Sarah had no children, and they waited far beyond Sarah’s childbearing years. But in His perfect timing, God did give them a son. “And so, having patiently waited, [Abraham] obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15, Hebrews 11:11). They endured decades of disappointment by focusing upon the promises of God.

Coping with difficult people. Some may be surprised to find that ministry is not much different than public administration or business when it comes to the nature of people. Often personalities don’t mix, management styles are different, expectations vary, and eventually misunderstandings occur. People are people wherever you go, and people can be difficult. Paul instructs believers to be patient with everyone but especially with believers: “We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Accepting God’s plan for everything. Patience lets go of control and trusts that God is at work. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Despite all he endured and all the difficult people he encountered, Paul trusted in God’s plan.

Contentment and patience go hand-in-hand. Are you stirred up, anxious, angry, and frustrated about someone or something? Waiting for God to work out His will is hard if we are fighting for control. Unless God is asking you to make some changes, it is time to release control and trust Him to get you through your circumstances and deal with difficult people. It can be a huge relief to just accept that God’s got this and is working out His perfect will.

This week, take heart that you might actually come out the other side to discover you have super-sized patience and a mountain of contentment.