Developing Patient Endurance

Fri, 27 Dec 2019

‘Suffering produces endurance.’ Romans 5:3 ESV

Isn’t it interesting how as we get older, we tend to become more patient, even though we have less time left? Why is that? Perspective! Our problems haven’t changed that much, but our perspective has. Things that once upset us don’t anymore, because we’ve lived long enough to know ‘His grace is sufficient’ (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). Once you realise that it’s no big deal—and most things aren’t—you can say, ‘Been there, done that!’

Instead of fretting and complaining, which doesn’t work and steals our joy, we’ve learned to sing: ‘Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.’

Like Joseph, you can look back to times in life you thought you’d never get through, and stuff you thought you’d never survive, and say, ‘You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.’ (Genesis 50:20 NKJV)

Yes, perspective produces patient endurance: ‘We can rejoice… when we run into problems and trials, for we know… they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character… and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady… when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.’ (Romans 5:3–5 TLB) So let God develop your patience.