How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 11)

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience..." The next three characteristic (patience, kindness, goodness) that flow out of God's supernatural love, describe virtues that are truly needed in our relationship with other people.  Someone has said that patience is love's habit.  What is a habit?  A habit is an activity, action, or ritual that is done without deliberate thought.  The habit is strengthened through constant practice, routine, and discipline.  The word patience is not found in the Old Testament, but there are several words in Scripture that imply patience.  The most common word is the word "longsuffering", which literally means to be drawn out slowly.  God is described as a God who suffers long with His people (Ex. 34:6).  Another word is "forbear", meaning to pull back a bow and hold it in place.  Nehemiah 9:30 stated, "Many years God forbear with Israel..." In the New Testament we read the words "endurance" and "longsuffering" to mean patience.  Almost every time these words are used it is describing God's response toward His children and His world.    

In Galatians 5:22, the word patience is better translated "long suffering".  This word implies the strength to hold back, or to expel one's anger slowly, even in the midst of hurt or affliction.  Patience isn't just the ability to wait, it's the ability to keep a good attitude while you wait.  We all claim our need for more patience, and yet I have heard many Christians state that we should not ask for patience, because this opens up our lives to negative activity.  This mentality is faulty for a Christian.  That is like a farmer not praying for rain because he is afraid the weeds will grow faster.  The farmer needs the rain for his crops all the while dealing with the weeds.  If the fruit of the Spirit is patience, and if it is our desire as Christians to be like Christ, then shouldn't we long to see our lives mature in Godly patience during good and bad times?  Patience is a key virtue in the life of Jesus Christ.  Shouldn't we desire to be like Him?  No matter what comes our way in life, if we are walking close to Christ, He will give us the patience to overcome any obstacle, and as a result we will have a less stressed life.