I Want Patience Now ! Series

They slept- I was exhausted.

They had joy- I was frustrated and stretched out.

They relaxed- I was nervous.

There is a church in Florida , 22 minute services, start to finish. 8 minute sermons. That’s not me, that’s not here. Instead of slowing down the pace and lifestyle down, being more focused on life than doing, society just keeps going faster and the people react by having meltdowns spiritually and physically. Patience is-(1) the ability to set back and wait for an expected outcome without anxiety, or tension.(2) patience is the ability to remain calm in the midst of turmoil because you know God is in control. What patience does not look like- (1) always losing control, being upset, dissatisfied, angry at yourself and others. (2) it is a mindset of blame it all on others.

Saying goes:

“Patience is what you say about the car behind you, not the car in front of you.” The art of patience is hard to nail down because there are always so many factors. We have to chose patience and seek to develop it with God’s help.

How do you develop patience? Just some thoughts that may help you.

Patience is the ability to trust God for things out of your control. Attitude of taking things in stride. Every situation does not have to be a crisis, and if every situation is a crisis, you need to make some changes in your life.

Illustration

Have you ever traveled with a child? That can be an experience. How about a 4 year old that is constantly asking when we will get there. Over and over again. Finally the mother has had enough. We have 90 miles to go, do not ask again When will we get there. Do you understand me? The boy was silent for a long time. Timidly he asks, “Mom, will I still be 4 when we get there? Instant gratification might be the way the world teaches us and demands of us, but that is not how the time table of God usually works. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, self-control.” patience is just one of 9 characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. Truth be told, we don’t have a lot of success with the other 8 characters either. You don’t really have a problem with patience when everything is going good around you. Patience means “to endure under”.

How patient are you when you are in the grocery store and the cart wheel decides to go wild, making a lot of noise, and everyone is watching you and looking at you.

How about in the restaurant when the waitress forgot you and seems to be helping everyone but you. We know how to be short tempered, but without God’s help, we are not long tempered.

Illustration-

How about this- I’ll pray for you to get patience. Dear God, please bring many trials and temptations to so and so life. No, no, don’t pray that I want patience , but I do not want more trials.

Let me wind this down.

Patience is about perseverance. In the Bible, they are always together. You will not get microwave fast answers a lot of time from God. He’s got a lesson to teach, your not done till He’s done showing you. Be patient- 4 times in 4 verses. Don’t grumble against each other, whatever it is temporary compared to eternity.