PATIENCE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

LOVE JOY PEACE PATIENCE GENTLENESS FAITHFULNESS KINDNESS GOODNESS SELF- CONTROL

Good morning Thrive. Today we are going to talk about Patience. During times of trials it is often hard to be patient. Even everyday situations can push us over the edge.

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Dictionary Definition: Patience - the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

The dictionary definition of patience tells us that we should have a quality or a spirit of such that we endure all that comes with waiting. Wow! That’s a lot to consider. I struggle with that everyday!

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The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:8-12

Let’s look at God’s definition of patience. Can someone please read? Thank you.God’s definition of patience is being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. This Psalm is how God treats us when we lose our patience with others or even Him.

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Table Discussion 8 minRefer to Psalm 103:8-12

1. What did you learn about the character of God in this Psalm?

2. Describe a time when you experienced God’s patience in your life. How did it make you feel?

Let’s go to our table discussion. Let’s take about 8 min. Would anyone like to share their answers?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Can I get a reader please? Thank you. God’s desire is that no one should perish. He is very patient with us. Even when we try to do things our way he waits patiently for us to come back to Him. Remember the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. His father waited patiently for his son to return. When he returned he showed him compassion.

God’s patience with us

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.”

2 Peter 3:15

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Would someone like to read this please? Thank you. In this verse, Peter reminds us of God’s patience with the unbelieving world. He encourages believers to be patient with God’s timing because God’s patience will result in more people coming to know Him.

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Table Discussion -10 min

1. How did God show you His patience before you were a follower of Christ?

2. In what area of your character has God shown His patience to you since you have been a follower of Christ?

Let’s have another table discussion. Let’s take about 10 min. Would anyone like to share their answers?

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Biblical Character - Jesus

And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer”.

Luke 22:15

Now we are going to look at some biblical characters’ that exhibited patience. Would someone like to read? Thank you. Did you know that Jesus had to be patient and wait for God’s timing? In the verse above Jesus is talking to the disciples at the Last Supper. He knew this day would come and was excited for what it meant for his children.

““Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Luke 2:49

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Can I get a reader please? Thank you. The verse above is Jesus’ response to his earthly parents when they found him in the temple preaching. He knew who his Father was and where he could be found. It is believed that Jesus was around 12 years old at this time. He had known for most of his childhood that he was here on earth for only one purpose. Another 18 years would pass before Jesus was allowed to begin his ministry.

Biblical Character - Joseph “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”Genesis 37:5-810

Remember Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers? Like Jesus, Joseph had to wait for God’s timing. After he was sold and taken to Egypt, Joseph was then sold again to Potiphar. Then he was framed for something he did not do and taken to prison. There he was asked to watch over the prisoners. From there he was asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. The dream that Joseph had in the above scripture eventually became a reality. Joseph exhibited a lot of patience before that day came. Joseph waited for God’s timing and was rewarded for his obedience.

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I like this quote from Joyce Myers’. It points out that we should be more concerned about how we respond while we are waiting instead of how long it is taking.

Praying for Patience During Our Circumstances

Teach me, my Lord, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of my life, in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Let me forget myself so that I may enjoy the happiness of others. Let me always hide my little pains and heartaches so that I may be the only one to suffer from them. Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes across my path. Let me so use it that it may mellow me, not harden or embitter me; that it may make me patient, not irritable; that it may make me broad in my forgiveness, not narrow or proud or overbearing. May no one be less good for having come within my influence; no one less pure, less true, less kind, less noble, for having been a fellow traveler with me on our journey towards eternal life. As I meet with one cross after another, let me whisper a word of love to You. May my life be lived in the supernatural, full of power for good, and strong in its purpose of sanctity. Amen.

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I’ve have always been told ‘don’t pray for patience, because you will be tested’. I came across this prayer on ourcatholicprayers.com. If you notice the prayer is not asking for patience during trials. You are asking God to give you a spirit that shows gentleness, sweetness, happiness for others, etc. I took this prayer and made it my own.

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Father God, teach me to be sweet and gentle in all the events of my life. During the disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted. Let me forget myself during trials so that I may enjoy the happiness of others.Teach me to be compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love always. May being patient teach me to be more forgiving. I thank you Lord for your patience with me. Amen.

Here is my prayer. I made it a lot shorter and put it in my own words. (Read prayer).You have a copy of the prayer on your table from the previous slide. If you like, you can use it as a guide to make your own or you may find one on the web that you like better. Either way, I encourage you to pray for the qualities of patience. You may go into your prayer time. Thank you.