The Olive Branch

Welcome to the fourth blog in the “Fruitful” series! Today we are taking a look at long-suffering (patience), and how we can operate in this fruit of the spirit. Patience is the ability to tolerate or accept an annoyance, trouble, or delay. It’s something we would all like given to use but maybe aren’t the best at giving to others. We all have things that push our buttons and make it hard to be patient with people, and that’s okay. The thing we have to avoid, however, is acting on that impatience and validating our bad actions by saying “It’s not my fault, they were testing my patience”. God continues to show us grace despite how many times we mess up, so we should want to give others grace as well. Instead of being frustrated with someone for something they did, we should seek understanding about why they did it. Maybe they’re having a bad day and you taking the time to show them love and patience is just what they need to feel better. Or maybe they didn’t even do anything wrong, and you need to check yourself for why you’re becoming impatient over little things. Proverbs 1:7 says that “…fools despise wisdom and instruction” (KJV) It would be foolish of us to not try to gain wisdom about why we react the way we do. We should always be trying to improve ourselves and that starts with gaining knowledge of our faults. It can be hard to stay patient when someone won’t follow instructions or a sibling is getting on your nerves, but we know that patience is a fruit of the spirit and that means it’s good. This is important because the Bible says, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (NIV) It’s a sin to give in to impatience when you know it’s not right. This week pray that God will give you patience even when it’s hard, and focus on gaining an understanding of people instead of just being annoyed with them. Thanks for reading!

Your Friend, Olivia

Hebrews 10:36, “For ye have need of patience…” (KJV)