PATIENCE IN AN IMPATIENT WORLD

In today's society, patience is not something we typically pursue.  We expect things to happen quickly.  Why should we wait?  With modern conveniences like cars, microwave ovens and the Internet, waiting is a thing of the past, right?

Well, that is really not the case.  We still have to wait for things.  For example, it still takes nine months to have a baby.  And sometimes, whatever the circumstance might be, our timing may not be God's timing.  So we all face periods of waiting.  That is why I want to share with you the importance of patience.

PATIENCE IS A POWERFUL THING

Patience is a timeless trait that makes a person powerful.  You may be asking, how so?  Well, when you are patient, you are in charge.

Now, that does not mean you are in charge of all your circumstances, but it does mean you are in charge of yourself.  Luke 21:19 is a powerful scripture that says, By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls."  Think about this scripture a moment.  To me, it is saying that the patient person is in possession of his own soul, which is made up of your mind, will and emotions.  So, a patient person takes charge of his won mind by refusing to worry or trying to figure things out.  He does not get into reasoning.  His mind can be at peace.  On the other hand, someone who is not patient does not have charge over their own mind.  Their mind is full of worry, reasoning, doubt and unbelief.  This makes their life an unpleasant experience.

PATIENT PEOPLE LACK NOTHING

James 1:4 "But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and full developed lacking in nothing."  Here is the point; A patient person is not someone who never wants anything.  It means that you are satisfied.  You are at peace.  Your will is at rest.  You do not get angry all the time, always trying to make something happen that is not happening....  Some people are always trying to get rid of something they do not want or get something they do not have.  The patient man does not need to struggle with God's will.  He has that peace in his soul.  Psalm 23 says, "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."  Remember, a patient man possesses his own soul.

PATIENCE STOPS THE EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY

Also, if you are a patient person, your emotions can be stable, not always going up and down.  With an impatient person, the first time something happens that they do not like, they get upset.  Their emotions change. But the patient man knows he can work things out because God is in control.  Stability is a key trait we need to believe God for all the time.  As we remain stable, the circumstances in our life must bow their knee.  Stability is one of the outward signs that we really are trusting God like we say we are.  Philippians 1:28 is a really powerful scripture that describes the benefit of staying stable as we wait: "And do not be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such will be a clear sign to them of destruction, but of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God."  The enemy cannot control those who remain stable.  This scripture clearly says if you are a constant person and fearless, that is going to be a sign to your enemy of his impending destruction.  Constancy and stability says to the devil, "This is a person that you cannot control."  And it is also a sure sign that you fully trust God.

We experience times when we wish something would happen sooner than it does.  And there will be times when you will struggle to stay peaceful as you wait.

Your peaceful, patient countenance will shine brightly in this impatient world.