Patience and Endurance

I recently wrote about moving from suffering to endurance to character to hope and that experiencing all of them is going to happen as we are faced with that which comes in service to God. This morning as I continue to study the word “endurance” I was led to a passage in Colossians of thanksgiving and prayer and realized that another characteristic when in service to God that is critical is that of patience.

“⁹And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” — Colossians 1:9-12 (ESV)

Here, Paul is writing to the church in Colosse and is encouraging them in their walk with Christ. He is lifting them up through thanksgiving and prayer and letting them know that he is doing so regularly. In the verses above, especially looking at verse 11, Paul calls out that he is praying for their endurance and patience.

Isn’t it too often that our expectations are for instant and immediate gratification and resolution to everything. I know that when I am looking for answers to questions, the internet has made it possible to get those answers right then and in such, I have satisfied my curiosity. I will say though, thanks to being able to get answers now, I have forgotten the virtue of patience. I have forgotten that waiting calmly for something that does not necessarily come right now is a fruit of the Spirit as listed by Paul to the church in Galatia.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

Patience is listed to remind us that thing do not always happen NOW. I have to remember that patience leads to the others and the others lead to patience. To go along with patience, I also have to remember that it will be uncomfortable and I must have endurance to make it through whatever I am experiencing. I may want for things now, but those things may not be in the plan of God for now and I have to wait patiently and endure all that comes with the waiting.

What are you waiting for and are experiencing less than immediate answers or resolution? Are you demonstrating patience and endurance in your waiting? What if you took the approach that all things are not going to be there NOW and you endure the uncomfortable waiting with patience?