A Patience Crisis!

I think you would agree that we live in a culture that wants it—i.e., just about everything—NOW! Whether we are waiting on line for our “fast food” meal, ordering from Amazon, or streaming a movie, everything is geared towards giving us want we want as quickly as possible. We’re not very good at slowing down and patiently waiting. I would propose that in our culture, we have a “patience crisis.” 

That is very much my problem at this point in my life. Although it’s only been about two and a half weeks since my spinal surgery (I’ve been home two weeks as of today), I’m already getting a bit antsy to get back into life.  I know I have to give my body time to heal, but I’m already getting tired of the process. It’s all feeling so very slow! The doctor says I can begin physical therapy at week six, but I want to start it today. I think you get my point: I’m beginning to lose patience with the process. I’m having a personal patience crisis! 

The Bible teaches us much about the virtue of patience. It is listed as one of the fruit of the Spirit. It is shown to be key to maintaining godly relationships as well as vital to our relationship with God. Most importantly (at least as I reflect on my current situation), patience is needed when we find ourselves in times of difficulty and/or suffering. It’s especially needed when we find ourselves in a place of forced waiting. 

To the church in Rome the Apostle Paul wrote, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer..” (Romans 12:12 – NIV). In his letter to the Colossians he wrote, “…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience….” (Colossians 1:11) 

Notice how patience is tied to “affliction” and “endurance.” After all, there is no need for patience when everything is going the way we want it to go or when we are getting what we want “now.” Rather patience is needed when things are not going well, when we are being forced to wait, when the healing, resolution, or outcome we are waiting for has not yet come. Patience is tied to hope and prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit at work within our lives—the power that is able to help us endure in our faith and be patient during our times of need.  

As you can guess, I’m preaching and writing to myself today, for I am having a patience crisis! Maybe you are as well. If so, together let’s look ahead with hope, be faithful in prayer, and wait patiently for that which is to come. After all, we serve a God who is faithful. 

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:25)

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris