“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,” Romans 15:5
Patience is a Christian attribute that everyone needs to work on. Never has there been a time in my life like this one, where patience is of the utmost importance. The world and our great country have been brought to a new norm. We are isolated and alone, some solitarily and others with family. We are having to learn and practice more patience than ever.
When our lives are hit with an upheaval, it is sometimes very difficult to adjust to the changes. We find ourselves spending more time with our families than we are used to. This comes with challenges and blessings. Through it all we will get through these times with patience.
God shows us that he has been and is patient toward us.
“O Lord, You know; Remember me and visit me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.” Jeremiah 15:15
God has shown us that He is long-suffering with enduring patience.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. God wants His people to be patient as He is patient. God knows that we will be tempted and tried, and this COVID-19 situation is no exception. James writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8. So, how do we learn this all-important patience?
How do we learn patience?
God is the great teacher and teaches His children everything they need to know in order grow in deeper fellowship with Him and obtain spiritual growth. It is no secret that God has left us this great comfort in the Bible, His holy word. Make time to let your Creator teach you, and He can build patience in you. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.
During this time of self-isolation due to the Coronavirus, we need to redeem the time. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16. While we have a lot of time on our hands, we need to be wise and careful that we don’t fall into sin and temptation. Our time should be spent in study and prayer, giving our unexpected free time to the Lord and our families.
Let’s take this time to be encouraged and enjoy our families, work on our Christian attributes, and redeem the time! Let us use this unexpected time of isolation for good and glorify the God of heaven!
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-11.
Remember these attributes are yours to own. Now (lovingly) stop wasting time. Go, learn, grow, and be grateful!
The Preacher,
Justin Gonzalez