Patience is often referred to as something that can be lost – as in “you are really causing me to lose my patience.” But how would it sound if you were to say “you are really causing me to lose my love for you?” Those words would be devastating to hear. You see, love is intimately defined as patient by the Holy Spirit. So if love is patient, then “losing” patience can be equated to losing love. In other words, it is impossible to truly love without being patient. Said this way the idea of losing patience is not a pretty one.
A working definition of patience is living in the expectation of God’s care. This means living each day knowing that God is loving you and will care for you regardless of your immediate circumstance. Patience is part of the Spirit’s fruit. Patience is the opposite of frustration. Patience is a sure belief that God will not abandon you. No matter what the circumstance, God’s love and care for you are never in doubt. Patience, like the other gifts of the Holy Spirit’s fruit, is always available. The Spirit’s fruit of patience can never be lost, only ignored.
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