Game Changers: Patience
(This is part 2 of our Game Changers series, which began last week looking at the subject of "Purity.")
What is a game changer? A game changer is an athlete or play that suddenly changes the outcome of a game or contest, or a person or thing that dramatically changes the course, strategy, character, etc., of something. Spiritually, patience is a game changer — because our God is a patient God. And because this virtue of patience is so deeply woven into the character of God, we, too, must weave it into our character.
But that’s hard to do living in a society that doesn’t value patience. We live in a world that values speed — a world that conditions us to want things right now. Time is money, and we’re willing to pay a pretty steep price to avoid being patient: Amazon Prime, high-speed internet, fastest phone, etc. But patience is a virtue because God places great value on patience. So, what areas of life is patience manifested?
In ourselves: Going through the difficulties of life will mature a person if they handle it the right way (James 1:2-4). Additionally, the need for patience doesn’t go away. There’s no milestone we ever reach in life where patience isn’t required. In fact, impatience carries a much higher cost than we think. Faster is not always better. Let’s slow down and get things right.
With other people: “Be patient with all” (I Thess. 5:14). This is something I need to work on daily. Try to give other people the benefit of the doubt. They’re trying to do the best they can do, just like you are. Remember, love is patient (I Cor. 13:4).
In our homes: Exercise patience with your spouse, your children, your parents (Col. 3:18-21; Eph. 6:4). When we do, we’ll have stronger marriages and stronger homes.
In the church: We all have flaws, strengths and weaknesses, and come from different backgrounds. You blend it all together, and our patience, at times, will be tried. We must be patient with one another because it contributes to the peace of a local group (Eph. 4:1-3).
With the Lord: We’re on the Lord’s timetable, not ours (James 5:7-11). In life, there are situations that arise where patience is vital. We must allow God to do things His way, on His terms, in His time. Our patience must be grounded in the promises of God (Is. 55:9).
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him” (Lam. 3:25). Be patient. It’s the fastest way to get what you really want in the first place. Good things truly come to those who wait.
