Fruit of the Spirit: How to Grow in Patience

James 1:2,3 states, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." So James tells us that the way to become patient is to have our faith tested, to face difficulties of various types. This may not be a traditional Christian Discipline, but to have more patience, we need to practice the spiritual discipline of risk taking.

Matthew 14:25-33 records an event that tested the faith of Peter. He walked on water with Jesus. He did not fully past this test, but neither did he fully fail. If it is certain that we will pass the test, then there is no risk. Those who stayed in the boat did not even take the test. Patience was a hard lesson for Peter, but this event was part of his learning. He took a risk at the command of Jesus.

By the discipline of risk taking, I am not referring to just any type of risk taking. I do not mean that we can learn patience by jumping out of a plane, or rock climbing, or white water rafting. I mean taking risks for the sake of God's kingdom in order to have our faith tested.

This is intentionally putting ourselves outside our comfort zone for the Lord. For it to be a discipline means that we do it on a regular basis. Now, the frequency and the level of risk involved should relate back to how much patience we need to learn.

We also need to recognize that what is a risk for one person is not for another. Different things make different people uncomfortable. Some examples of this type of risk taking: helping in a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, prison ministry, nursing home ministry, other ministries to those on the edge of society (single moms, addicts, HIV infected, orphans, widows, prostitutes, etc. The kind of people that Jesus befriended.), going door to door inviting people to church, open air ministry, short-term mission trips, tent maker ministry, or joining a disaster relief team.

Fruit of the Spirit: What is Patience?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23)

Dictionary Definition: the capacity, habit or fact of bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint; manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain; not hasty or impetuous; steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity.

Compared to love, joy and peace, patience is hardly mentioned in the Bible at all. The following verses do give us insight into this virtue.

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." (Psalm 37:7) We are to be patient while waiting for the Lord to act. We are not to become worried or upset because evil men are not punished. God will act in his own time.

Proverbs 14:29 tells us that a patient person is wise. It also says that a quick-tempered man is foolish. Proverbs 19:11 gives an example of patience. Someone can offend a patient man without getting a negative reaction.

The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus had unlimited patience (I Timothy 1:15,16). His proof is that Jesus forgave him, the worst of sinners. Jesus demonstrated patience when he bore the pain of the cross calmly without complaint. He still shows forbearance towards people. Although they keep rejecting him, he keeps seeking them.

James 5:10 sets before us the prophets as examples of patience. In the face of suffering, they remained true to their calling.

The Scripture contains many examples of patience. Abraham waited many years before God keep his promise to give him a son. Noah worked many years in the face of ridicule while building the ark. Joseph, sold into slavery and then put in prison, remained faithful to God and waited for deliverance. David, while hiding in the wilderness from King Saul, would not take matters into his own hands but waited on the Lord to act.

Fruit of the Spirit: How to Grow in Peace

Let us consider an Old Testament example of someone who was not at peace. Read I Kings 19:1-18. Elijah was afraid for his life. He was worn out and depressed. Elijah went into the wilderness and met with God. Then he was able to return and continue to serve God.

The discipline of solitude will help us grow in peace. Solitude is the practice of finding a place where we can be alone with God for an extended period of time, at least several hours or, if possible, several days.

A couple examples from Scripture: Jacob sent his family away so that he could spend a night alone with God. He wrestled with the Lord all night long. Read Genesis 32:2-32.

Jesus often spent time alone with God the Father. "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." (Matthew 14:13a) "After he had dismissed the them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone." (Matthew 14:23) "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." (Luke 6:12)

Solitude allows us to get away from distractions, disturbances and the business of life. By putting ourselves in a peaceful setting, and diligently seeking the Lord of peace, we can find peace.

Fruit of the Spirit: What is Peace?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23)

Dictionary Definition: a state of tranquility, quiet and harmony; a state free of oppressive and unpleasant thoughts and emotions; harmony in personal relations; a state free of war, in particular war between different counties.

Job 3:26 tells us what peace is, by describing what it is not. It says, "I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."

Peace comes for the Lord. "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." (Psalm 29:11)

Peace is valuable. "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." (Proverbs 17:1)

The peace that Jesus gives is not like that which comes from the world. It is certain. We do not need to be troubled or afraid. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

The Spirit of God gives us peace of mind. "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6)

The peace that come from God is beyond our understanding. We can have peace of mind and heart in the midst of turmoil and trouble. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7)

Fruit of the Spirit: How to Grow in Joy

What spiritual discipline can help us have more joy?

Consider, Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." God's presence fills us with joy!

Psalm 64:10 tells us that the righteous rejoice in the Lord. The righteous praise him.

After the ascension of Jesus as recorded in Luke 24:50-53, the disciples worshipped Jesus. They had great joy. They constantly praised God.

Throughout the Psalms, worship and joy are linked. We read that Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison. If you lack joy in your life, a good place to start growing in joy is with worship.

I do not mean attending a Worship Service, although that can be part of this. I mean setting aside time on a regular basis, even daily, to praise God, to thank him for his blessings, to sing joyfully to the Lord. This will help is to focus less on our present circumstance and more on eternity. This will increase our joy. This will make us happy. This will give us extreme cheerfulness.

Fruit of the Spirit: What is Joy?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23)

Dictionary Definition: The feeling of happiness, extreme cheerfulness

Happiness is usually tied to circumstance. The joy that the Spirit gives is not. James tells us to have joy when we face trials because the testing of our faith will produce perseverance. (James 1:2,3) But these times of testing are often not happy times.

Hebrews 10:34 describes believers who joyfully suffered the loss of their possessions because they had better possessions waiting them in eternity. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus faced the cross with joy because of what his sacrifice would accomplish.

So we are to have joy regardless of present circumstances. Now sometimes our circumstances will make it difficult for us to express our joy as happiness and extreme cheerfulness.

However, too often we say we have joy, deep down in our hearts where it will never reach our faces, when the truth is that we are lying. We have no joy and therefore no happiness. The joy of the Spirit does not mean that we will be always laughing and smiling, but it means that we will be more often than not. If we never laugh, never smile, never express happiness and even extreme cheerfulness then we have no joy.

Consider Acts 5:40, 41. We see that rejoicing means expressing joy, showing happiness.

The Greek word translated “blessed” in some versions is translated “happy” in others. Consider the beatitudes in that light. They are recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. Mediate on them but replaced "Blessed are" with "Happy are."

The joy of the spirit is happiness that looks beyond present circumstance to our final condition.