The New Testament’s Greek words translated as “patience” include the thoughts of cheerful endurance, waiting, perseverance, resilience and steadfastness. Romans 5:3-4 connects suffering to patience: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces patience (endurance), and patience (endurance) produces character, and character produces hope.” Therefore, enduring and persevering through trials develops our characters. We are to live in patience. Luke 21:19, “By your patience (perseverance) possess your souls.”
How do we endure to the end of our walks? First, we need to have faith in God. Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” We embrace the thought that God is directing our lives. Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” We remember that He cares for us so much that even “the very hairs of your head are numbered,” Matthew 10:30.
Life is hard and sometimes overwhelming, but we still endure through faith. God has promised He will help us in every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NET), “God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.” Sometimes that way of escape is to lay everything at our Lord’s feet. God knows how to “steal the bitter from life’s woes.” Other times we may see a resolution more quickly.
Patience also means being resilient. We are able to bounce back in life because we have God’s promises. Christians have “exceeding great and precious promises that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature.” These promises keep us strong in Him. Some of them are: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” “…all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose,” “You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.” (John 14:27; Romans 8:28; Psalms 71:20, 21 NLT)
We are patient and can endure because we know God’s kingdom is soon to be established on earth. Everyone is eagerly waiting for freedom from sin and death. Romans 8:22, 21 (NLT), “For we know that all creation (man and nature) has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time…the creation (mankind and nature) looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”
Additional Resources:
Download the free PDF: “How God Answers Prayer”
Christian Questions Podcast Episode #1286: “Does Patience Really Matter?”
Uncovering a deep and life-changing facet of Christian patience
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
