We take our troubles to the one who can help – we do what we can and trust the rest to Him who has our best in mind.
“…live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature…the fruit of the Spirit is peace and patience” Galatians 5:16,22.
Today we quickly look at two more attributes of Jesus that can be replicated in our lives by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Today – peace and patience.
Anxiety is a big issue in society today. Many good people – even Christians suffer from this. Sometimes it has deeper roots than worry and is only dealt with through professionals and even medication. But for the rest, worry is to be addressed by our faith in God. I was at a concert a few years ago and the singer said: “Worry is like praying for things to happen that you don’t want to happen.” Well said.
Philippians 4:6,7 immediately comes to mind. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This is not a denial of reality – it is an inner calm and confidence from God that surpasses circumstances. We take our troubles to the one who can help – we do what we can and trust the rest to Him who has our best in mind. I have seen this many times in my pastorates – people who know God’s peace despite their troubles. Parents of a girl undergoing a major surgery – “God has given us peace.” A lady with cancer who came down for prayer – “Don’t pray for healing – pray for courage and peace for me.”
Patience has not been my strong suit through life. Maybe I’m just a child of my generation – if it takes longer than two seconds to connect to the internet, I want to know what’s wrong. Beyond that, though, for me – I have been quick to react. I was chatting with an elder after a meeting behind one of my churches when a cab driver drove along the alley and threw a garbage bag on top of our bin. I hollered ‘HEY!’ He stopped and backed up – I thought – ‘great – I’m going to get me and my elder beat up.’ He apologized and threw the garbage in the bin. I heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Leon – be patient and shut your mouth once in a while!”
Patience here actually is the word ‘longsuffering’ – the idea of patience even under provocation. This is the work of the Spirit in our life – longsuffering is the salve that heals wounds in the church – where we don’t bite back even when we feel like it. God’s timeline and mind don’t always match – I’m sure you have experienced this as well. Am I willing to do my part and then concede that my times are in His hands?
Peace and patience – may you know these in increasing measure even this week!
Pastor Leon Throness
