20Something 10-5-05 (Jen Austin)
Patience
We all know having patience is a good thing and that we should be working toward having more patience, but it would be a lot easier if we could have it now! There are just so many things that seem to come along and test our patience; it’s hard to maintain the right attitude when tested.
What are some situations in which you get frustrated and lose your patience?
How does our society contribute to our impatience?
Do you think that patience comes naturally, i.e., you have it as a child, or is it something that is learned as you get older and more mature?
In the dictionary, "patience" has several meanings: 1) bearing pains or trials calmly and without complaining, 2) not being hasty or impetuous, 3) being steadfast despite opposition or adversity, and 4) showing forbearance under provocation or strain.
We often think of patience as something benign, or as something that we have to use in order to properly wait through something. But the dictionary definitions and Bible imply that pain, trials, adversity, and strain may also be involved.
James 1:2-4—Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Peter 2:20—But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Romans 5:3-4—Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 12:12—Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Patience is more than just waiting on something. It is part of an active process that may include suffering, trials, and setbacks. It also includes hope.
When you’re going through something where patience is required, what keeps you from becoming discouraged?
Can you think of examples of patience from the Bible? (Jesus, Job, Paul, etc.) How did these figures exhibit patience? How did it benefit them?
The concepts of perseverance and patience are mentioned together in other places in the Bible as well. Here are some other verses:
Galatians 6:9--Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Hebrews 10:23, 10:36-- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:36--You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
James 1:2-4-- Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
In what ways does having patience pay off?
Why are perseverance and patience so compatible? What is the difference between them?
The Bible also frequently mentions a promise along with patience and perseverance.
Psalm 37:7-9--7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for the Lord ; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil persons will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Psalm 40:1-3-- 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; God turned to me and heard my cry.
2 God lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; God set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
James 5:7-8-- 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
Looking at the big picture, why is patience important?
Why should we be patient in the short term as well?
How can we have more patience?
God is patient with us. The least we can do is attempt to be more patient with God, and with the trials that we go through in our lives. We can make it through anything when we rely on God’s strength.
Take prayer requests, pray, and dismiss.
Have a blessed week!
We all know having patience is a good thing and that we should be working toward having more patience, but it would be a lot easier if we could have it now! There are just so many things that seem to come along and test our patience; it’s hard to maintain the right attitude when tested.
What are some situations in which you get frustrated and lose your patience?
How does our society contribute to our impatience?
Do you think that patience comes naturally, i.e., you have it as a child, or is it something that is learned as you get older and more mature?
In the dictionary, "patience" has several meanings: 1) bearing pains or trials calmly and without complaining, 2) not being hasty or impetuous, 3) being steadfast despite opposition or adversity, and 4) showing forbearance under provocation or strain.
We often think of patience as something benign, or as something that we have to use in order to properly wait through something. But the dictionary definitions and Bible imply that pain, trials, adversity, and strain may also be involved.
James 1:2-4—Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Peter 2:20—But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Romans 5:3-4—Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 12:12—Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Patience is more than just waiting on something. It is part of an active process that may include suffering, trials, and setbacks. It also includes hope.
When you’re going through something where patience is required, what keeps you from becoming discouraged?
Can you think of examples of patience from the Bible? (Jesus, Job, Paul, etc.) How did these figures exhibit patience? How did it benefit them?
The concepts of perseverance and patience are mentioned together in other places in the Bible as well. Here are some other verses:
Galatians 6:9--Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Hebrews 10:23, 10:36-- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:36--You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
James 1:2-4-- Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
In what ways does having patience pay off?
Why are perseverance and patience so compatible? What is the difference between them?
The Bible also frequently mentions a promise along with patience and perseverance.
Psalm 37:7-9--7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for the Lord ; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil persons will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Psalm 40:1-3-- 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; God turned to me and heard my cry.
2 God lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; God set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
James 5:7-8-- 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
Looking at the big picture, why is patience important?
Why should we be patient in the short term as well?
How can we have more patience?
God is patient with us. The least we can do is attempt to be more patient with God, and with the trials that we go through in our lives. We can make it through anything when we rely on God’s strength.
Take prayer requests, pray, and dismiss.
Have a blessed week!
posted by Jen Austin at 4:43 AM
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