Give me patience and I want it now!

Written by Fiona Monaghan But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful ²³ and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. Galatians 5:22-23

Patience…the next fruit of the spirit on our list. This is one trait that is much like that of silver, needing extreme heat to purify it. Or that of carbon needing extreme pressure to form diamonds; patience grows under duress and in the learning to hold steady.

“A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen 

There are many quotes, poems and jokes about patience; but we all know is that it is not easily acquired. This is another fruit that is an outcome of an action that we have to exercise…that being TRUST. If we can be trusting God for the outcome in the difficulties in life, then what we do while we wait will produce either anxiety or patience. It is all in the process making…it is learning that something of value is never quickly acquired.

A visual that comes to my mind is that of a pearl being formed. Pearls start out as a speck of sand or grit that gets into an oyster and the irritation causes a liquid to be excreted to cover the offending irritant. Over time this form into a pearl - something of value. So when life brings irritations to us, when we encounter those people who make us count to 10…imagine something precious being formed … something of value which will become part of our character and reputation. As stated in Proverbs 22:1 “Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.”

Photo credit: Quote, e-card, Fog Leghorn

Hurry Up and Wait!

Written by Pastor Rex Hamilton When I was about 7 years old, I sang in the kids choir at my church. One year we did a concert called, The Music Machine. It was a popular musical production that sang about the Fruit of the Spirit. I can still remember every word to the song called, “Patience”...

“Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry. When you get impatient, you only start to worry...”. Funny how some songs just stick with you!

Such a simple (and cheesy) kids song, yet so true for all of us! Impatience with others, God, or ourselves almost always leads to worry and anxiety. If Paul’s words in Galatians 5:22 (NLT) are true that the Holy Spirit “PRODUCES” patience in us- our worry and anxiety will only stunt the Spirit’s work in us. Saying "don’t be impatient" is obviously easier said than done, but the next time you feel anxious or worried about something in your life, ask yourself if it is in any way connected with needing to be patient.

If it is, take a deep breath...whisper the name Jesus and remember the wise words of Winnie the Poo - “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

Photo Credit

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orY-QA8kuGc

Joy comes from within

Written by Fiona Monaghan But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. Galatians 5:22-23

Many think of joy as a happy emotion. An emotion one feels when something really, really good happens. When in all actuality, it is a deep sense of well-being and contentment no matter what the circumstances are around you.

James uses joy in this verse … Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

Joy is something that comes from within, not subject to circumstances being all lined up in your favor and looking good on the outside.

Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross.   - S.D. Gordon

As I came to understand what joy is and what it is not, it became much clearer to me that it isn’t a character trait we can formulate. It seems to flow out of other things. Gratitude (as mentioned above); gratefulness, knowing that this life as we know it is not all there is; that there is something better coming. It is putting our faith and trust in God no matter what may be happening in our lives whether good or bad. Knowing He is still in control and it will work out in the end, even if not how we expected it. Then, from that choice of behavior joy flows.

This week’s challenge: Do your own word study on JOY. See how many quotes and verses you can come up with and see if your understanding of the word will change.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKdpSqHBzuA