More on Patience

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Romans 12:12  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, hold and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Isaiah 43:18,19  Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

Isaiah 43:18, 19 speaks to my heart. It reminds me of where I was decades ago when I first said yes to following Jesus. And now, I look ahead, and still see a long, high climb to go. But as I pause on the path and look ahead, I turn and look behind. OH my, yes, look at all that I have shed –bitterness, anger, impatience, some intolerance, and so forth. Yeah, I’ve climbed above a lot, still have further to climb, but I enjoy this path.

Following patiently while waiting for God to deliver on a promise, the wait can still be hard. It was very difficult at one time for me; I think when God was forming me, He left out any modicum of patience. None. But I have developed some over the years, as the Holy Spirit has led me, and I have trusted more and more on God’s word.  It’s developed by reading and learning the Bible, and believing the promises. The Holy Spirit guides and nurtures and prods us to follow the words and desires of God, but it is our choice to follow. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we want to follow. We have learned our path is easier, more restful, and believe we will always be cared for in our lives if we follow the path He has laid. But He has given us free choice; to choose to follow, or to do one’s own things.  Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, along with gentleness, kindness, joy, love, and peace and others.

Patience is never easy especially in a country which is strongly into ‘gratification on demand.’ We, as humans, want what we want SOON. We may be able to wait a while, but usually there is impatience to our waiting. My impatience used to feel almost like red ants having free access to me. It was so difficult to wait. But over time and walking more with Him, trusting Him more, I know my prayers will be answered.

He taught and led others by example, with patience and love. I will never attain that level of patience, but certainly I have grown in love, in patience, in the certainty that I am going to heaven someday. Not because of anything I have done—except to accept the invitation to have him live in my heart, and then strive to learn more, grow more, serve more, and to love more. It’s been a journey, and I sometimes can see my footsteps climbing the path. I have gotten close to where patience is written on the mountain, but still have a trek ahead of me.

But it’s been a wonderful walk, such a satisfying journey, with many blessings for “mybellaviews.”