We all know the need for patience.
When I think of the fruit of the Spirit, I am drawn to the quality of patience. I am drawn there because I often feel so inadequate with patience. You may feel the same. Frustration and aggravation sometimes seem to take over.
But, it may not be patience that I need. What I really need is perseverance. This is the meaning of the word we normally translate as patience.
I need to persevere. I need to be long-suffering. I need to not quit and not give up. I need to stand strong under the pressure.
Perseverance and long-suffering is exactly what I perceive that we all need right now. We need it in our lives, and we need it as the church.
We have all worked hard to keep going since March 13, but we may be getting weary in well-doing.
It’s natural for us to get weary. After all, if that were not the case, Paul would not have written to encourage us to keep working and serving.
I want to encourage you to keep on. Don’t give up on yourself and don’t give up on Christ and His church. Be found faithful and obedient.
These are tough days, but our God is faithful. He will see us through until we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
2 Responses
I have been praying several months now for myself for patient endurance. In my daily devotion time over the last few weeks I have been very encouraged to find versus like Romans 5:3-5 and Romans 15:4-5, that tell me to rejoice in trials because God will use these to produce patient endurance in me. He is the one who gives it, along with encouragement and hope. Praise the Lord!
Thank you Waylon for always being encouraging. We have learned living with family for 5 months, while building, has certainly given us perseverance and respect for one another through Jesus Christ. Who knew we would have to all be quarantined together for so long. God had His own plan for us. We love and understand each other even more.