1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “…BE PATIENT WITH EVERYONE.”

Among the characteristics for my Myers Briggs personality type is patience.  Wow!  That sounds pretty good.  I have been told that I am a patient person, but the reality is, like anyone else in our fast-paced, automated, drive-through, smart phone, convenience-oriented world, I definitely have my impatient moments.  Those are most often rooted in selfishness and particularly rear their ugly heads when the actions and behaviors of others interfere with my own wants and wishes and expectations.  It’s easy to be patient with those who don’t rock your boat, but let someone get in the way of your own plans or cause you not to have your way, and things can look quite differently.  And the exhibition of impatience doesn’t necessarily require words; it can be shown forth in numerous and just as evident ways: a deep sigh, the tapping of a foot, the rolling of the eyes, a gesture, an irritated glance….

A commonly known saying is “patience is a virtue.”  This means that patience is a good and commendable trait, a moral excellence to be desired and aspired to. But these last four words of 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “be patient with everyone” – go beyond saying patience is only to be desired or aspired to; Paul urges his readers to BE patient, not TRY to be patient.  So how is this possible?  Even when I TRY to be patient, I sometimes fail miserably.  So if I fail when I TRY, how can I successfully BE patient?

According to Galatians 5:22, patience/forbearance/longsuffering is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  So, even if I do have an ability or inclination within my nature to be a patient person, the selfish, sinful, fleshly part of my nature can easily thwart the expression of it and even choke it out altogether.  To TRY to be patient of my own accord and in my own strength is insufficient and most likely destined to be a failed attempt.  My ability to actually BE patient with others is only perfected, only made possible, only fully achievable by the indwelling and outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the giver of all our spiritual gifts.

So who are you struggling to be patient with today? 

…the elderly person driving well under the speed limit in front of you?

…the mother juggling three kids and a buggy full of groceries at the check-out?

…the aging grandparent who tells you the same story five times in a row?

…the boss whose leadership you take issue with?

…the rebellious son or disrespectful daughter?

…the screaming baby behind you on long flight?

…the trainee behind the counter?

…the demanding or irrational customer?

…the student who doesn’t seem to be “getting it”?

…the teammate or co-worker who doesn’t pull his weight?

…the unexpected visitor or caller who has interrupted your schedule?

…those who irritate, aggravate, and exasperate you?

…those who are not particularly lovable, agreeable, or easy to be around?

…those who you believe have wronged you?

REMEMBER:  If you are a believer – a follower of Jesus – you are indwelled by His Holy Spirit, so ask Him to help you fully and freely extend the spiritual gift of patience as you encounter and interact with others.  The gift is there; we only need to get ourselves out of the way so that the Holy Spirit is allowed the freedom to do His work through us.

“Father, as Your Word teaches, help me to be patient with EVERYONE today.  Help me to show forth the very same gentleness, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and patience that You extended to me at Calvary.  Holy Spirit, may Your gifts freely pour through me, not only to my brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to a lost and dying world.  When others see patience in me, may they recognize it as the extraordinary and supernatural patience of Jesus rather my own and thereby seek to know and follow Him.  Amen.”