Believe me, I have tried my hardest NOT to pray for patience...I have been warned what God does when you pray for patience... He sends trials. And me, I don't like trials. I like easy, I like comfortable, I like smooth.
Problem is, it's not about what I want or what I like. And it's not a choice we get, to pray for patience. It's a command, it's the fruit of the Spirit, its an attribute of love, it's a must as a believer!
Some people may not understand this and some people may think I'm sinning in saying this, but my trial... It was having four kids in four and a half years while living in a two bedroom trailer! Uncomfortable to say the least. I've worked through a lot of it (had some counseling) and some of life has gotten easier... hello, no diapers, no midnight feedings, no cribs, no packing half the house just to run to the store. But it has also gotten harder... talking back, whining, always hungry, the bickering amongst themselves, the constant questions, the constant noise! I get headaches a lot!!
But my kids also teach me a lot ... about patience! Especially when I am trying to teach them a little bit more about being patient with each other! Funny thing, how kids are always so good in teaching me, they can be such a reflection of me (and not always a pretty one).
Patience comes from trials and tribulations; we know that even if we don't like it. It's found in Romans 5 (knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience...)
and James 1 (Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.)
It's a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering...
It's an attribute of love (I Corinthians 13) love is patient, bears all things
It's also something that Paul prays for the saints in his epistles (Colossians 1:9-12) We pray for you... that you might be... Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
JOY is often mentioned in correlation with patience. And while I haven't figured it all out yet, I realize that I'm going to have trials whether I pray for patience or not. And me living out patience is the Will of God... so I just keep working on it and keep praying because it's only through the power of the Holy Spirit that I will be able to express patience. (<-- Tweet that!)
For Community:
Do you pray for patience? For yourself, or others?
What's one trial you've experienced that produced patience in your life?
Julie, great post. Found you through Better Writer. Glad to see we'll meet at Allume!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I just love that you title your questions at the end of the post 'for community'. Can I steal that idea? ;)
Yes, feel free to steal my "idea"! It happened quite by accident right before I hit publish. Not sure I could do it again if I tried, but I will definitely try? Thanks for stopping by! I will look for you at Allume.
DeleteJulie, thank you so much for your post. I loved reading about your experience as a young Mom of 4 under 4 living in a small trailer. I struggle with patience - or lack of there of, rather- so this post seriously speaks to me. I've heard the same thing, about being careful not to pray for patience and such, but I don't know if I agree with that either. We are encouraged to pray for everything and always rejoice, so I continue to pray that the Holy Spirit grows His fruits in me, specially patience! I cannot do it on my own, that I know...He is the Only One who can make patience sprout in my soul, and for that I am thankful and I continue to pray...He is the Gardener of our Souls, and He will transform us if we surrender to His perfect will. It is all part of His plan. Thank you so much, again, I'm linking with Pieces of Amy Link Up Party. Have a blessed evening.
ReplyDeleteYou totally stole my comment! I was gonna say how we have the promise of patience through the Holy Spirit. Then you went and said that! :) I don't give much thought to the whole "don't pray for patience, you'll get trials" business. God is going to do in me what He is going to do in me. I might as well ask for the patience to deal with it than just go without! :)
ReplyDeleteagreed!! thankful that when I'm in the Word, God gives me the truths to share here!! I am praying for patience because I already have the trials! :)
Deletethanks for your thoughts... I love the Gardener of our Souls... So true!! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I find that my kids are one of God's most perfect instruments in the refining process. Love them to death but oh how they reflect my sinful nature at times and bring conviction to this mama that is trying so hard to disciple them. God is so wise in His appointing of trials and the strength to endure them.
ReplyDelete