Patience

Patience = to stay under (behind), ie. Remain; fig. To undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere = cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy

LOVE = patience – 1 Corinthians 13

“In your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:19

“Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10

“If we are courteous and gentle at home, we shall carry the savor of a pleasant disposition when away from home. If we manifest forbearance, patience, meekness, and fortitude in the home, we shall be able to be a light to the world.” AH 429

“Soul culture, which gives purity and elevation to the thoughts and fragrance to word and act, requires more painstaking effort. It takes patience to keep every evil motive weeded from the garden of the heart.” CT 108

The plant of patience grows rapidly when carefully cultivated. (ML 97)

“All should cultivate patience by practicing patience. By being kind and forbearing, true love may be kept warm in the heart, and qualities will be developed that Heaven will approve.” AH 106

“It is impossible for an intemperate to be a patient man. First temperance, then patience.” 2T 95

“There is a wonderful power in silence. When impatient words are spoken to you, do not retaliate. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry usually acts as a whip, lashing the temper into greater fury. But anger met by silence quickly dies away. Let the Christian bridle his tongue, firmly resolving not to speak harsh, impatient words. With the tongue bridled, he may be victorious in every trial of patience through which he is called to pass.

In his own strength man cannot rule his spirit. But through CHRIST he may gain self-control. In HIS strength he may bring his thoughts and words into subjection to the will of God. The religion of CHRIST brings the emotions under the control of reason and disciplines the tongue. Under its influence the hasty temper is subdued, and the heart is filled with patience and gentleness.

Hold firmly to the One who has all power in heaven and in earth. Though you so often fail to reveal patience and calmness, do not give up the struggle. Resolve again, this time more firmly, to be patient under every provocation. And never take your eyes off your divine EXAMPLE.” MYP 136

“Patience as well as courage has its victories. By meekness under trial, no less than by boldness in enterprise, souls may be won to CHRIST. The Christian who manifests patience and cheerfulness under bereavement and suffering, who meets even death itself with the peace and calmness of an unwavering faith, may accomplish for the gospel more than he could have effected by a long life of faithful labor. Often when the servant of God is withdrawn from active duty, the mysterious providence which our short sighted vision would lament is designed by God to accomplish a work that otherwise would never have been done.” AA 465

“We are living in a most solemn period of this earth’s history. There is never time to sin; it is always perilous to continue in transgression, but in a special sense is this true at the present time. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world and stand in a more solemn relation to time and to eternity than ever before. NOW let every person search his own heart and plead for the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to expel all spiritual darkness and cleanse from defilement.

To us who are standing on the very verge of their fulfillment, of what deep moment, what living interest, are these delineations of the things to come – events for which, since our first parents turned their steps from Eden, God’s children have watched and waited, longed for and prayed!

FELLOW PILGRIM, we are still amid the shadows and turmoil of earthly activities, but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring deliverance and rest. Let us by faith behold the blessed hereafter, as pictured by the hand of God.” AH 549-550

I have decided that a large share of my unrest and trials exist because I need to cultivate patience. This world is not heaven. We are still amid the shadows and turmoil of temporal life. We are in ‘boot camp’ as it were; a training ground, a battleground, not a playground. My innate desire is for ease and a carefree life, but difficulty and duty await me at every turn.

Therefore I decided to research patience because I need to learn about it. It will help me deal with this life.
If we have not been trained in necessary life lessons when we were young, then we must learn them in middle life. They are harder to learn then, but I trust that if met with cheerfully, this discipline will not be unbearable, and may even be joyful because of the hope laid up ahead.

My faithful dog must endure patiently much waiting while I’m about my daily duties. Barnyard animals must patiently endure their lot in life. Above all our Heavenly Father endures patiently our ignorance and waywardness, hoping to bring us to repentance and a higher aim in life than merely eating and drinking, sleeping and working. LOVE IS PATIENT. AMEN

Kathleen Ross, Alberta, Canada