It’s a sunny day. It’s as though the sun just won a lottery so it’s shining brightly. You need money urgently so you go to your bank to use the ATM. On getting there, there is a very long queue and you have to wait until it’s your turn …
Dayo lives in Lagos. If you live in Nigeria, I don’t need to start narrating the famous gist of Lagos traffic. He lives on the mainland but works in Lekki. He got on the bus at 7am but it seemed like he would never get to his destination. The bus conductor was shouting, horns blaring and to make matters worse, there was a woman carrying a baby whose nose was dripping with catarrh. He was losing his patience …
Benny got back from class with a throbbing headache. She was famished and knew she didn’t have the strength to cook so she decided to order something to eat. They promised to deliver within 30 mins. 1 hour passed, no dispatch rider, no calls. About 1 hour and 30 mins later, the rider came and said nonchalantly , “take your order“. She was furious and would have hit him if not that I had to cut the story short …
Does any of these sound like you?
Below are 5 different definitions of Patience according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary. I believe they are all relatable :
- Bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
- Manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
- Not hasty or impetuous
- Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
- Able or willing to bear.
You could relate with all of them right?
You see, we all encounter delay, problems and suffering at one time or the other. Our patience is tested every moment.
Though, it can be very hard to stay patient, it is very possible. GOD knows it can be difficult to have patience. He is not acting all ignorant about it. This is why He gave us the Holy Spirit to work out His fruit in us. So, it’s not about you, it’s about GOD in you. All you have to do is submit to the Holy Spirit.
We should also be patient when we’re going through trying situations.
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Romans 5:3-5 KJV
When you’re going through a tough time, you always want to get out of it in a hurry. The scripture above makes us understand that these tough times work patience in us. This was why James, the brother of Jesus advised us to not be in a hurry to get out of these situations (James 1:2-4).
Ask the Holy Spirit for help every single time your patience is being tried.
We’ve finally come to the end of the Fruit of the Spirit blog series. I know you’ve been inspired so far. I will like to know one thing you’ve learnt from every fruit of the Spirit. Do let me know in the comment section. Don’t forget to share this post too. Please, do it now so you don’t forget.
Till I come your way again, stay cool!
Gloryinspires 