Struggling Patience

Patience! We hear this word loosely used in our every-day conversation; yet, in a cursed, intolerant, warring world, a world that has no real meaning anymore, a world in which the spirit of truth and the spirit of freedom; the pillars of faith, and society, are being challenged and unmercifully undermined at attacked with a vengeance. In stark reality, man’s patience in such a hostile environment is being severely tried and often overwhelmed by blasphemous forces of evil.
Patience! It can be a comforting word, a word of hope and joy… of inspiration. However, the word, patience, could easily mean… waiting; patiently waiting… without complaining. Waiting for what? Change? Simply for earthly things to happen? What things? A change in world events? A change in our relationships? A change in our economic or social position? A change in our spiritual life; waiting patiently for God’s hand to work in our life, or, maybe you’re just idly waiting and fretting… and for no reason?

But, patience means much more than “waiting”. Patience also means forbearance; to control oneself, under provocation, to tolerate, to keep oneself under “check”, but really stresses having oneself under control; under suffering caused by other people.

Another meaning, endurance and steadfastness; stresses patient endurance and steadfastness, though kept waiting for a long time by God, as for the Latter Rain, and the second coming of Christ. This idea of steadfastness, and endurance is faithfully brought out in the New Testament. (Lk. 21:19; Rom. 5:3,4; 15:4,5; 2 Cor. 6:4).

In the Old Testament there are certain expressions for patience, such as, “I patiently waited for the Lord (Ps. 40:1)

and “patient in spirit” (Eccl. 7:8); “the Lord is slow to anger” (Num. 14:18; Jer. 14:18). All of this clearly indicates that since patience is exemplified or characterized in God, so it is expected in His children.

1.God’s patient endurance of man’s rebellion extends to all mankind, and is evident today in that He still withholds His final judgment, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9). God’s extension of His patience to Israel is expressed over and over again. (Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Ps. 86:15).

2. Christ’s patient endurance is the Christian’s example. He must “run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus… who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” (Heb. 12:1,2). Christ’s patient bearing of the taunts of the chief priests and elders, and even the thieves on their crosses, is referred in the passage (Mat. 27:38-44; Mark 15:28-32).

The believer is exhorted, encouraged, to “lead a life worthy of the calling… with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love” (Eph. 4:1,2; Col. 1:11; 3:12). This is all possible only as a result of the Spirit-filled life (Gal. 5:22).

3. Christian’s patient endurance. Importantly also, is the patience of the Christian to the many trials of life. One trial, for example, and a common one, is living among sinful men and seeing them prosper in spite of their wickedness. The answers are stressed in several reassuring verses (Ps. 37:1; 73; Pro. 3:31; 23:17; 24:1; Jer. 12).

Patience is necessary also under divine chastenings, so as to develop the faith and the character of those who He loves; God chastens and tests His servants (Heb. 12:5-13). This is all for the believer’s profit and is a part of the “all things” that work for the good (Rom. 8:28).

So, we can see that patience has varied meanings, but namely suffering hardship with courage, without losing one’s temper, irritation, restlessness, or annoyance. It means, further, to bear hardship with calmness, steadiness, quietness, and strength of character.

“Suffering must be met with patience; trials must be met with patience.” (AA 465; PK 437). Patience and courage, too, has its victories, by meekness, boldness of energy and initiative to progress in the work with cheerfulness under trial and suffering (AA 465).

This is a heavenly patience, a struggling, and tender, saintly patience. “What Christ was on earth, the Christian should strive to be. He is our example, not only in His spotless purity, but also in His patience (GW 121). “Nothing could ruffle or dampen His patience toward His erring children. He displayed, also, a majestic patience towards His persecutors.” (SD 151; DA 710).

Patience, however, you may be surprised to see, does not just consist in mere gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness. These graces are essential, of course, but there is need of unshaken, sober courage, force, energy, and perseverance, also. “Many Christians are meek, nerveless, spiritless, spineless, easily discouraged. They lack push! They need the spirit and energy that kindle enthusiasm.” (5T 404).

We need to sow a crop of patience… and love. We shall reap the harvest we are sowing. Our characters are now forming for eternity. Here on earth we are training for heaven. (6T 268). However, we have to cultivate this crop, not only patience, but compassion, love, and true courtesy (7T 127). Furthermore, cultivate patience! How?

By practicing patience! Is your patience being tested and tried? God uses special annoyances to test men’s patience. (4T 116) Do you make Christ first, last and best in everything? Are you beholding him daily? Your love for Him will become deeper and stronger as it is submitted to the test of trial. Are you encouraging your wife, your husband, your children, your friends, and your brethren, to fight the battles of life together? Are you advancing the happiness of each other? Are you as parents, learning and cultivating patience; teaching your children patience, most importantly, by your example of patience? (FE 155; CG 267-8). “…and the children’s duty to manifest patience to parents?”(MYP 333) “By cultivating patience, true qualities will be developed that Heaven will approve.” (AH 105)

If patience is cultivated carefully, it will grow rapidly (ML 97). But, beware, for in your garden of tender patience, evil motives must be weeded out from the garden of the heart… and this, again, is done by patience itself. (CT 108)
Joseph’s patience in adversity is left on record for the benefit of all who shall afterward live on this earth (SG 176). Paul’s long confinement in prison was a clear example of longsuffering (AA 464-5). David learned lessons of patience as a shepherd in his wilderness life; but David’s long trials exhausted his patience, although he learned in the school of affliction. David looked at outward appearances, and not the promises of God. God works out His plans, though to human eyes they are veiled in mystery (PP 672). God’s patience has an objective. Moses needed to learn patience also, but his patience was tried by Israel’s murmurings and rebellion. The results of this was brought to a sad conclusion. Elijah failed to exercise his patience when Jezebel threatened him (3T 290).

God’s patience has an object in this life. Are you defeating it? God is allowing a state of things to come to you, that may be opposed or checked (neutralized) by and by, but it will be too late. Who knows whether God will give up with you to the deception in life you love? The voice that once stirred the people to reaction, may one day no longer disturb their worldly slumber (5T 77). “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart” (Heb 3:15). “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still… for the time is at hand.” Rev. 22:10,11).

Sadly, patience is lacking among God’s people (AA 530); the lessons of patience must be learned in the school of Christ (SD 88); it’s one round in the ladder of progress to attain for the Christian. (AA 530). Patience is one of the sterner virtues of life (MH 391). Make patience part of your being. Make your patience be apparent to all (ML 5; Ev 400).

Manifest your patience in all emergencies (CSW 174). Remember, too, however, the most patient persons will be severely tested (AH 442; SD 88). When it happens, cheerfully accept it.

It’s a fact, too, that those people needing most help often try your patience the most (6T 348). “They need your love” (CT 267; FE 289). But, although you often fail to reveal patience, do not give up the struggle (MYP 136). Trials will develop patience (AA 468). Those who are to live a patient, loving, cheerful life must… pray! (MH 393) Let these virtues keep sunshine in the heart, though the day may be cloudy and troubles invade your life.

The faith and patience involved in bearing trials deepens your experience and the trials themselves are, therefore, to be received and endured with joy (Jam. 1:2). So, then, “be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.” (Jam. 1:9.

Jesus says we are to observe and keep the word of patience… the word of His patience; like keeping the Sabbath day… His day. This means, also defending His patience; watching over it, watching over devouring things. There are so many things in this abundant, wretched life that for many, it seems much better and easier to be impatient about… isn’t that so?

Let’s explain this further. The best and clearest illustration is that of an archer. He pulls the string further and further away from his bow with the arrow fixed. Then when it is adjusted with his eye on the mark, he lets it fly. The Christian’s life is like that. How?

Well, God is the Archer, much like God is the Potter (and we are the clay). Jer 18:6. He takes the saint like a bow, which He stretches, and we get to a certain point and say, “I can’t stand it anymore, I can’t stand this test of patience any longer,” but what does God do? Stop?

NO! He goes on stretching! He is not aiming at our tiny, aimless mark, but at His own mark for us. So, the patience of the saints is that we hold on until He lets the arrow fly straight to His goal.

So, the patience of the saints, also like the patience of the Lord Jesus, brings the Supreme Authority, the power of God over all of the saint’s ruling life, and because the love of God is poured out to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we then choose by our own free will to be held together by the mind of God, the Father, the mind of Jesus, the Son, the mind of the Holy Spirit, and the mind of the saint; a oneness of personal power and worship… DEVOTION.

This is the passionate loyalty, the deep affection of the saint. Who, then is the saint? “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev. 14:12).

The days that lie ahead of us; the work that lies before us, is one that will stretch every power of the human being, every power of the saints imaginable, on the Archer’s Bow of Life! “…let the Archer bend his bow”! (Jer. 51:3).
PATIENCE, brethren, until the coming of the Lord!
AMEN.

John Theodorou, USA