THE FRESH FRUIT OF PATIENCE

[joaniemarie]

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[TD]The Fresh Fruit of Patience

by Judi[/TD]
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The fresh fruit of patience is exactly that: a fruit that grows out of an inside established in Truth. Patience is healthy. It’s nourishing, both to you and to those around you. It is not difficult and it is not something that comes from surviving difficult situations. In fact, you can endure numerous challenging trials and realize your patience is eroding rather than developing.


Some believe God puts us through various situations in order to teach us to have certain qualities like patience. I think that is backwards. Jesus came to give us something we did not already have. He gave us the Holy Spirit (and as a result, all the fruit of the Spirit) to enable us to thrive and find fulfillment in this crazy, imperfect, and sometimes frustrating world. To do so, He knew we would need patience beyond ourselves.



Patience flows out of knowing the Truth about God’s goodness and His unlimited love for you. If you believe things that aren't true, your ability to operate in patience will be limited. You will think you are threatened when others disagree with you. Frustration will be your normal. You will find that life is overwhelming you rather than you overcoming it. If, for example, you believe God is only happy with you when you behave well or have the right theology or the right politics, the patience you extend towards yourself and others will be limited in direct correlation to that belief. Truly, the supernatural fruit of patience can only grow out of an unlimited supply of God’s love for you.


The Superpower of Patience


Patience is defined as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset”. Wow! Can you imagine your world with the fullness of patience in it? It would be a world in which we enjoyed life, even in the midst of delays. Other drivers would be free to make mistakes (or even drive terribly) and you could happily wave them on.

Facebook friends having different political and religious beliefs than you would be invited into your conversations and respectfully listened to. It'd be like possessing an awesome superpower! Everything from a slight inner irritation to a huge indignation would be overcome with patience.


This is exactly what Jesus gave us when He sent the Holy Spirit! He knew we would daily face delays, trouble, and suffering. He didn't want us to be living life continually angry or upset. It isn't good for our health, our relationships, or our quality of life. So He offered us Himself which includes the supernatural quality of patience.

Paul mentions that we glory in tribulations (see Romans 5:2) because this is the perfect opportunity for patience to do it’s work. In other words we shine when we encounter challenges, because the world gets to see supernatural patience on display, and it is a beautiful sight to behold.

 

[joaniemarie]

Why Is It So Hard?


Many people ask, “Why is it so hard to have patience?” If we try to be patient in and of ourselves, it is pretty near impossible. A single branch cannot produce fruit. However, if we are plugged into Life Himself, the impossible flows from Him through us.

Without the fruit of patience, life is hard. Relationships are hard. Even trusting God can be hard. We trust more in our natural circumstances, what we see and feel and hear, than in God. It’s easier. It seems to make sense. It’s that way that seems right.

Like a piece of fruit, patience grows from the inside out. The sap in a vine makes its way to the end of a branch and appears as a tiny droplet in early spring. It then becomes a blossom. The blossom transforms into fruit. The fruit matures until it is ready for consumption. As you notice even the tiniest evidences of the fresh fruit of patience in your life, be sure to celebrate it. Don’t get impatient with patience growing from the inside out. Let it take its time and the rewards will be beautiful, succulent and divine.

Long-suffering


Relationships are often damaged because of wrongs done, misunderstandings, differences of opinions. This can cause some of the most painful wounds in life. Sometimes this Greek word for patience is translated as long-suffering, which means “having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.”

Think of the inconveniences/hurts you’ve endured because of a spouse or child, of inconsiderate salespeople, coworkers or even friends. The fruit of patience is the perfect anecdote to overcome these troubles. Fruit grows, it matures, but it starts somewhere. And where it starts is with the Truth of your value and position in God. You are loved. You are forgiven. You are free.



Forbearance



Another word that patience can be defined as is forbearance, which means “patient self-control; restraint and tolerance; the action of refraining from exercising a legal right, especially enforcing the payment of a debt.” Have you ever had a well-meaning friend say that “you have every right to be angry/frustrated/upset”? Well, yes. I suppose I have a right to a negative feeling. But what does that profit me? I am left with an ugly, damaging emotion that is no good for me or anyone around me. Okay, I suppose I have a right to drink that poison, but it won’t help me be healthy, it won’t help my relationships to flourish, and it certainly won’t help me to enjoy life.


Some may say it feels good to be angry, especially when you are in the right. Well, heroin feels good. But then it kills you. Anger can also feel good momentarily, but it ends up eroding your health, your ability to participate in loving relationships, and all the things you need to experience a fulfilling life.

Living in a sustained negative frame of mind is not the abundant life Jesus endured the Cross to secure for you. Some say, “Well, Jesus got mad in the temple so I am justified in my anger.” Jesus did not suddenly lose his temper in the temple. He was illustrating a point, not losing self-control.


Why Do We Need Patience?

We share a planet with other people. Other people who are loved and adored by God, but perhaps don’t know they are or refuse to believe they are. They look to their surroundings to prove whether God exists, rather than looking to God to help them navigate their surroundings well. We share our world with people who choose evil and people who make honest mistakes. We live with people who, because they are loved, are free, and unfortunately can use that freedom to cause harm.


I just had an argument with Rick. A silly one, but nevertheless a timely demonstration of the benefits of patience. Rick was telling me something about the car. I asked him a question. He answered me with what I perceived as irritation at my question. Immediately, I felt defensive and responded to him with irritation because he was irritated with me first. So where did we get? Two people experiencing the yucky feelings of irritation and defensiveness.

Ugh! But what if I had paused for a moment before I had reacted? The fruit of patience could have done its work and we would both be experiencing our typical heaven on earth day. Still, the fact I am aware there are other options besides my reflexive emotions tells me that patience is growing within me.


Negotiation vs Tactical

Rick and I have been watching a special on the 1994 siege in Waco, Texas where David Koresh and about 100 followers were living in a compound. They were a religious group that had collected a stockpile of guns and had a leader who practiced polygamy, including with underage girls. There was a standoff after the ATF tried to storm the compound which resulted in multiple fatalities on both sides. The FBI was called in to take over the situation, utilizing two divisions, a negotiation team and a tactical team.

It was fascinating to watch the tension build between the negotiation team and the tactical team. Both had distinct styles of resolving conflict. One was prepared to wait as long as it took, the other demanded a timeline. One was operating in patience, the other was operating under pressure and compulsion. In this particular case, the teams were at odds with each other, disagreeing on their perceptions of the situation and the methods for resolving it. Ultimately, the tactical team was sent in and the ensuing raid resulted in a fire and the tragic death of 76 people.


It’s not that using either team was wrong, rather it was the motivation from which the team operated that ultimately affected the results. As you grow in your relationship with God, you will notice a flow. God operates in patience. He has all the time in the world and can see the full picture whereas we see only part. He is not compelled by anxiety or fear or time. Your spirit, also, has access to this escape from fear, pressure, and compulsion. It’s called patience and it is within you.


Let Patience Do Her Work

“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing,” (James 1:4). As you consider this verse, imagine Patience as a person. She is in the kitchen cooking a meal for you. It’s healthy and delicious and she is doing all the work for you. Because you are not involved in the cooking process, you don’t understand why it is taking so long.

You become frustrated and even suspicious. You decide Patience isn’t really working on your behalf, and because you don’t trust her, you decide to kill her (when you don’t let patience have its perfect work, you are basically killing her). Patience didn’t get to finish her work and you didn’t get to enjoy the nutritious meal she was preparing for you.

Patience is doing a work. It’s not YOU doing the work to obtain patience. Patience is doing the work. All you have to do is let her. In season, you will taste the fruit of allowing Patience to do her work. If Jesus is in you, patience is there too. Your job is to let patience do her work on your behalf. Then you will receive the sweet reward of patience. It’ll surprise you.

Your emotional elasticity will extend even beyond what you thought possible. People will thank you for your patience with them and with situations that would normally drive others crazy.


Longing to See the Sons of God

The reason other people are touched by this is because what they are actually seeing are Sons of God in action. The bible says creation is waiting eagerly to see such a thing (see Romans 8:19). They are longing to see the possibility of a supernatural (Spirit-led) life. It is breathtaking to see, just like watching an orchestra play a complex piece of music with precision and skill.

Or witnessing an athlete accomplish a feat that defies physical limitations. Or a doctor brilliantly use a new technique to do what has been never been done before. It’s awe-inspiring. It is lovely to behold. It transports our hearts and spirit to the otherworldly. Let’s remember we are those Sons of God. We are in Christ and Christ is in us. The fresh fruit of patience is living and growing within us.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

In Gal 5:22, the word "longsuffering" is the Greek word makrothymía (from 3117 /makrós, "long" and 2372 /thymós, "passion, anger") – properly, long-passion, i.e. waiting sufficient time before expressing anger. This avoids the premature use of force (retribution) that arises out of improper anger (a personal reaction).

3115 /makrothymía ("divinely-regulated patience") is used of God Himself (see 1 Pet 3:20; 2 Pet 3:15). Indeed, only the Lord produces 3115 /makrothymía ("true patience, longsuffering") in us and hence is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).

"3115 (makrothymía) embraces steadfastness and staying-power. If in English we had an adjective 'long-tempered' as a counterpart to 'short-tempered,' then makrothymia could be called the quality of being 'long-tempered' . . . which is a quality of God (LXX, Ex 34:6)" (F. F. Bruce, Commentary on Galatians, 253).

HELPS Word-studies
Copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc.


In James 1:3, the word "patience" is the Greek word hypomonḗ (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 3306 /ménō, "remain, endure") – properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness, especially as God enables the believer to "remain (endure) under" the challenges He allots in life.

HELPS Word-studies
Copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc.



To me, the difference between "longsuffering" and "patience" is that longsuffering restrains us from reacting improperly to the situations we face and patience bears up under us and helps us to remain steadfast and unmovable as we endure the situations we face in this life.

While closely related, "longsuffering" and "patience" are not the same thing and we can benefit from learning the meaning of each attribute so we are better equipped as we live our lives on this earth.

 

[posthuman]

I am fond of saying,

"patience cannot be learned quickly"

 

[garee]

Patience is a work of faith by which we can believe him not seen .If patient does not do its first work then the second work of being kind (God is kind) would not have any room and it folkows to the end of exercising the love of God that can work in us us to both will and do His good pleasure .

Its not the fruit of our spirit that works in us to enable to perform that which he requires .Without him we can do nothing.Our fruitlessness or lack of patience is caused because we have none of our own, we are required to do His first works. working in us . As we informed in Jonh six it is the work of good that we can believe.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,(God) it profiteth me nothing.Charity ((God) suffereth long, and (God) is kind; charity (God) envieth not; charity (God) vaunteth not itself, (God) is not puffed up, (God) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own (the unseen wisdom of God) , (God) is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth (God) ; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.1Co 13:3

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

[Miri]

I tend to find patience is a learned skill which comes from plenty
of practice, preferably under the guidance of God. It’s not automatic.
Some people never seem to develop it, both Christians and non Christians
alike.


I say that because I know lots of patient non Christians who are far more
patient than me!

But biblical patience I suspect is different to worldy patience.

Wordly patience is biding your time until you think it’s the right time to act.
That action can be to decide to ignore something, decide it’s not worth
bothering over, to charge in to get things done when you think it’s time to
do something, or it could be a simple thing like waiting for a holiday. But
in the end it’s all about you.

Godly patience I think, is about waiting on God and His time and learning to hold
back instead of charging in until He tells you to move. It’s also about
realising that whatever you are dealing with, your patience will one day be
fulfilled in the next life, regardless of troubling circumstances. It’s letting go
and letting God, it’s also very hard!

Patience can also also be linked to compassion and love for people, we are patient
with someone because their needs matter and they matter. Therefore patience
also flows out of love.



In my own words.