Fruit of the Spirit: Part 4 - 'Have a Little Patience'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Galatians chapter 5 verses 22-23 (NIV)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians chapter 5 verses 22-23 (NLT)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
 

1 Corinthians chapter 13 vereses 4-8 (New International Version)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Exodus chapter 14, verse 14

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Ephesians chapter 4, verses 1 - 3

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Proverbs chapter 15 verse 18

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.



Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, thank you for your incredible patience with us. We are sorry that we test your patience and your forgiveness over and over again. Thank you that you hold off on your righteous anger, that your are forbearing with us. Thank you that you have suffered for us and that your love for us is sacrificial and merciful beyond our imagining. Father, we need your help, and we ask that you would help us in the situations that test our patience. Whether they are daily hassles, life hardships, or interpersonal relationships, please help us. When we are tested in the little things, and in the things that really hurt us and with which we struggle, please help us. By Your Holy Spirit, help us to respond with love and grace, with mercy and kindness dear Lord. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. It’s been said that there are three types of patience: interpersonal patience, life hardship patience, and daily hassles patience. What do you think?
2. The Greek word used for ‘patience’ is sometimes translated as ‘forbearance’ or ‘long-suffering’. Look those words up and see what you make of them.
3. In the sense of daily hassles, what tests your patience?
4. Are there any life hardships that you are dealing with that require your patience in the sense of being long-suffering? What are they? How do you cope?
5. Are there any inter-personal situations that you are struggling with and which might need you to exercise forbearance? Who is involved and how are you dealing with them?
6. When it comes to your internal thoughts and external actions, do they match up better with Paul’s “works of the flesh” (including hostility, jealousy, angry outbursts, divisions and envy) or with the fruit of the Spirit, flowing from love?
7. Take some time to reflect on those things that test your patience one way or another. Could you ask for God’s help, daily, to deal with them better, in a more loving way?