“When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
{Galatians 5:22, TLB}
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The Vine . . .
I’ve prayed for patience.
I’ve longed for heaven to open, the way a door swings wide, so the blessing of patience would spill over, and into my life.
I’ve waited too. I’ve waited impatiently for patience to come — altogether missing the point.
Because patience is a fruit, not a gift. And fruit begins as a seed, then grows with time and nourishment. It’s supposed to start out small.
The opportunity to grow in patience is ever before me. When my children need a referee as much as a mom. When our dog decides that whatever is in the trashcan is infinitely tastier than the food in her bowl. When the other cars on the freeway don’t seem to understand how urgent it is that I arrive at my destination on time.
The truth is . . . the real hindrance to patience is myself.
Healthy fruit can only grow when connected to the Vine. And the fruit of patience, like any other fruit of the Spirit, requires time to grow, time spent focusing on Someone other than myself. When we abide in Christ and allow the Spirit to govern our thoughts and decisions. Then He will produce this kind of fruit in us.
If patience is a virtue, then we must remember the Author of virtue.
The work is His — while we abide and yield.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Denise,
Apart from the Vine, I can do nothing. My heart always comes back to this. I need to abide in Christ in order for the Living Water to flow through me and produce fruit…like patience. May I continually seek to abide in Him. Thanks for a beautiful reminder this Sunday morning!
Blessings,
Bev
Melissa says
A lightbulb moment! Of course…a fruit, not a gift. How often I have prayed the same prayer. Your words give me some encourimg thoughts to ponder over coffee this morning. Thank you!
Mary Townsend says
I am feeling as Melissa…thought about the fruits of the Spirit…seeds that need to be nourished and cared for to grow. I am always trying to talk myself into patience, in conversation with God. Which is probably a more one sided conversation as I try to be patient. Patience is a virtue and today I will remember the Author! Pondering all of this as I get ready to go worship Him, the Author and Creator of Life! Thank you Denise. God bless!
Penny says
I remember this saying from when I was growing up:
“Lord grant me patience and I want them now.” It helped me remember not to be demanding and that things don’t happen just because we want them to.
Thanks for confirming that Denise.
Beth Williams says
Denise,
I am an inpatient person by nature. Long have I wanted to be more patient. Well God answered my prayers by my aging dad getting really sick last year and going to ER 4 times. He has also has psych issues due to dementia. Hard to deal with but one must be patient as it is not of their doing. Now he’s on hospice and I visit 3X week. Lots of patience needed. God gently nurtured that fruit within me and now I am much more patient and able to help my in-laws with their medical issues.
Have a blessed Sunday!!
Blessings 🙂
Sherrie St. Hilaire says
Excellent post!! Thank you for so beautifully sharing this Truth about patience! I really needed to be reminded that it is a fruit and not a gift! It always comes back to our strong connection to Him!
Jan says
Beautiful, and something I so needed to hear. Something I really need to keep coming back to. Thank You
Doris Swift says
Love these encouraging words Denise! Such an important reminder it’s a fruit, not a gift. What a Sunday blessing. Sharing this! <3 In Him, Doris
Ms. Independent says
I have asked for the “gift” of patience myself. Thank you for this. I’ve heard it many times before but never so simply put. Especially about patience being a fruit and fruits start with seeds which need time and much grace to grow. Amen. Be blessed Sis.
Mary says
I am so grateful for God’s patience with me. Mine seems to grow so slowly and often fails to grow at all it seems. Oh Vine, please continue to help me grow the fruit of your Spirit. Thank you!
Barbara Last says
Thank you for your words. My 9 year son has ADHD and we are heading to the end of our summer holidays and my patience feels stretched! Your words were like a lightbulb moment has God given me (as his mummy) a very impatient person, a child that needs that extra care in order to help me grow my seed of patience, as I try to nurture him and begin to grow his seed of patience too. Blessings x