Patience

I have to tell you, patience is not my strong suit. I recently took a spiritual growth assessment that our church gives and as usual, patience was right there at the bottom of the list. The assessment was fairly comprehensive and in the area of patience it covered patient with family members, patiently waiting on God's answers and timing, extending patience (grace) to others, and patiently waiting in Atlanta traffic. I struggle at any point in time with any of these - usually not all at the same time.

The thing about patience is that it is really self-control. Katie Brazelton in her book Character Makeover says "patience is an outwardly displayed character quality that results from the inward character quality of self-control."

She wasn't the only one to link these two fruits of the spirit. Peter said,

Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. 2 Peter 1:6 NLT

It is also amazing how often endurance and patience are linked together too.

So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 2 Corin. 1:6 (NLT)

I am John, your brother. In Jesus we are partners in suffering and in the Kingdom and in patient endurance. ...Rev. 1:9 (NLT)

If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Rev. 13:10 (NIV)

Self-control, patience and endurance - these are the character traits that should mark God's children. This was expected over 2000 years ago and it is still expected today.