We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient.
When I was young, one of the leaders of the church I was attending told us that we should never pray for patience, for if we did, then God would send troubles our way so that we could learn patience.
And for years after, those words stayed with me, even today, I can hear them being spoken as clear as day. They were constantly at the edge of my awareness, lingering there. A disquiet of thought, a constant source of not right. Why were those the words I remembered from that particular teacher. What made them memorable, when from just a simple consideration they seemed like so much philosophical fluff.
And let's be honest. That's what that is. It's philosophical fluff. There is no greater meaning, no deep truths. Just a trite phrase, said in such a way as to make some random adult laugh.
A few years after hearing it, I decided to take those words apart, and determine why they had rang so false to me. And in doing so, I ran head first into Romans 5:3.
As Christians we are supposed to be patient. It should be our default stance when dealing with the world.
Likewise, we cannot allow the troubles and problems of this world affect our joy; affect our search for Christ. To the point that we are to take joy in those troubles. For God is our God through all times. When things go right, when life is easy, as well as when the storms threatens everything. God is still God. He is our light and joy, and the author and finisher of our faith.
To deny troubles, to deny the chance to learn patience, to not learn what He wishes us to know, is akin to a slap to His face. For the Bible is quite clear, troubles build patience, patience character and character builds hope.
It's how it grows, and how we do. We suffer a problem, a setback, and we trust in Him. We are patient with the things that are aggravating us, we become patience, we become calm. We show character, and display hope. Without patience, there is no hope. It cannot grow.
And without patience, without that calm understanding of our self, there can be no joy.
Patience is at the root of so many of the emotions and feelings that we as Christians should be feeling.
And even today, I still rejoice in those troubles that I have faced, the problems that I have suffered through, for I know that they have helped me grow. Helped me develop patience and character.
And hope.
Journal Prompt: How have you tried to build patience lately?
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