Those of you who follow my blog know that I love stories of Jesus and the women he interacted with, and I try to stick with that theme. But this month I’m going to take a break and speak to a subject that I’ve had on my mind for some time.
Have you ever had someone tell you “don’t pray for patience”? Even if the phrase is said tongue in cheek there’s a good reason for giving this advice, right? After all, we “know” that God will start teaching us patience by allowing us to experience all sorts of trials. This concept could be considered biblical as Romans 5:3 states that tribulation brings patience. Well, of course we don’t want to go through tribulation! So asking for patience is like asking for trouble.
Well, here’s where I have a problem. Telling ourselves and others not to pray for patience reflects something very wrong with our thinking about God and His wisdom. Of course, our human nature does not wish to go through trials. However if you read the first half of the above verse (Romans 5:3) it tells us we should glory in tribulation.
Wait. Are you crazy? We should be excited about trials? Maybe even invite them into our lives?
I know, I know that seems kind of scary. But don’t we realize that God is a giver of good things? So should we really be afraid of the lessons He might try to teach us? Or worry because of what we pray? We will all face trials and frustrations no matter how we pray. So wouldn’t it be better to go through them with patience rather than without it? And do we really think that we can tell God when and how much tribulation to allow in our lives by not praying for patience?
There is another huge problem with this thinking.. In 1 Corinthians 13 starting in verse 6 the Bible describes the characteristics of love and right off we see “love is (oh my, there it is)…patient. While we’re thinking on that, we might want to take a look at the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22 we read this: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” When we see this we think “oh, yeah! Give me love, joy, and peace, Lord. I want me some of that.” But…following those three wonderful traits is our friend…patience!
This really makes me wonder if we can ever exhibit the love, joy, and peace Jesus intends for us without at least a dab of patience? And are we really going to skip over that portion of the fruit of the Spirit because it might bring us difficulties or temptations or even heartache? If God does allow those trials, He will accompany us. What a wonderful way to get to know him better! No, I’m not excited about facing trials but Jesus sure faced them while He was on this earth and think about this: is the servant better than his or her master? (See Matthew 10:24 for the answer.)
Perhaps you’ve already realized that if we want others to treat us with patience, we should we be willing to do treat them in like manner. And of course, the most important Person we desire patience from is God. So…patience is something God wants for us, and if we desire to be more like Him well, maybe we should think of it as something to pray for.
Here are some things I hope you include in your “take away” today:
- We shouldn’t be afraid to pray for the things that will enable us to be better followers of Christ. Including patience.
- Realize that God is with us in every difficulty, and that makes it all worthwhile (and by the way, I believe God will allow trials that are more than we can bear, but that is a subject for another time).
- God does not stand ready to load you up with trials just because you ask for something good.
“Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
http://biblehub.com/isaiah/41-10.htm Accessed on January 29, 2016
Praying that you will have all the love, joy, and peace Christ intends for you. (I’ll let you pray for the patience.)
Find His Love 
great piece, Eileen! thank you for the reminder that in growing our patience, we are also growing our faith as we allow our SAVIOR to work in and through us. again, thank you for the reminder 🙂 love you, sweet friend
hey eileen… great post… i commented on it, but did not see it displayed anywhere so maybe i did not do it correctly ! anyway, great piece.. i enjoyed it… and the reminder that we grow not only in patience, but in faith as we allow our SAVIOR to work in and through us 🙂 good job and thanks for the reminder… love you, my friend!
The first time you comment, I have to approve it. I appreciate your words so very much. That is awesome what you got out of it. I was just trying to point out the “silliness” of not praying for patience or being afraid to pray it. So thanks again.
Patience is definitely a fruit of the spirit, but as with all things we should be cautious WHAT we pray for.
I was once of those who did pray for patience. Those prayers took me down pathways overflowing with lessons. I’ve since learned to pray that The Father’s Will be done. I still submit prayers with my hopes, dreams & concerns to him but after the experience of praying for patience, my priorities & focus changed.