Spiritual Fruit: Patience

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! –Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Dictionary.com describes patience as: “the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.” If “patience is a virtue,” then why is it that many people lack the value of forbearance? A shortage of patience causes outbursts between children and adults, the progression of the “now” attitude, and strains in relationships that should be strong and helpful. Christians are called to be different from those in the world. We are called to bear with one another, to refrain from losing our tempers, to avoid outbursts of anger, etc. First Thessalonians 5:14 (GW) says, “We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.” Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit, existing within us to help us to grow, to mature, and to progressively produce this beneficial God-fruit. It takes grace and restraint to unwearyingly tolerate others, rather than hastily condemning or shunning them. God is patient with us, and He wants us to be patient with others. When our patience ripens, it inevitably will produce good results that please God, profit others, and permit us to bear Christ’s image.