PATIENCE

PATIENCE

Ecclesiastes 7^7-9

 I want us to consider the life of the butterfly as our illustration.  The butterfly before emerging from its chrysalis i.e. the shell enclosing the pupa of  a butterfly. has to go through a lot of struggling.  Each time it attempts to escape , acids are being removed from its wings.  If someone were to come along and tries to assist the butterfly by breaking the chrysalis, the butterfly would die from those acids.  In essence, struggle is necessary for the survival of the  butterfly. When the struggle is over,  the butterfly will come out and share its beauty with the world. 

Also, as human being, we are not different.  We have some struggling, some challenges, to face which stands for struggling. There are times we need to struggle before the attainment of things. We need to be able to bear this and be Patient. It is only when we are patient that divine intervention will come.  Thomas Paine wrote and I quote “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.  What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that give everything its value.  I love the man that can smile in trouble, and gather strength from distress.”   If we try to help ourselves, then we will not allow God’s will to come to pass.   

In Christendom, patience is one of the most valuable virtues of life. Increasing patience is viewed as the work of the Holy Ghost in the Christian who has accepted the gift of salvation.  According to Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians, patience  is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible referred  to patience in several sections.  The Book of Proverbs 25^{14 – 16} (NIV)  states that "through patience, a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone".   Ecclesiastes 7^:7-9 (NIV) points out that the "end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride"  and Thessalonians states in  1 Thessalonians 5:^14-15  that we should "be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good for each other and for all" .

In the Epistle of James, (James 5^7-11),  the Bible urges Christians to be patient, and " see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,...until it receives the early and the late rains."  . In Galatians, Galatians 5^21-23 patience is listed as part of the "fruit of the Spirit": "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law".

In 1 Timothy 1^15-17,  the Bible states that "Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life".

No matter how life has been generally, refuse to quit and always remember that every problem is an opportunity to discover an invaluable lesson of life.

Romans 6³⁵ says” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ” Shall tribulation,  or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

If the answer is NO, then it is high time to stop that in-patience, that self pity, that crying, that self blame and be courageous and at last just like the butterfly, your beauty shall be celebrated in the land of the living.

Do your own duty and allow God to do His own.  Your duty is to be patient, and Gods duty is to release His power upon you at the end of your waiting/trial period.

 There is no real success without a corresponding challenge before, during and after the success.  Of what use is light in the absence of darkness? 

Martin Luther King wrote and I quote:  “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, nut where he stands in times of challenge and controversy”.      The Holy Ghost wants me to tell you that  God cannot fail.  Concerning that your expectation, there shall still be physical manifestation.  I’M SO SURE OF THAT.

Do you know that the Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur) were not the real originators of the ‘Flying Miracles’ – The Airplanes?  The man who is supposed to receive the credit for it was Dr. Samuel Langley, a Professor of Mathematics/Astronomy.  He started the project, but after running into obstacles, criticism and financial setbacks, he gave up.  But just after that, the Wright Brothers who were uneducated and with insufficient funds celebrated a breakthrough by becoming the first humans to fly a manned plane.  What was the difference?  The Wright Brothers had what Professor Langley lacked:  PATIENCE AND RUGGED PERSISTENCE.  No wonder Thomas Edison told his team: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”.  Refuse to give up on your life’s dreams and aspirations.  There is a hidden Divine Calendar that is in operation concerning your destiny. 

The Lord said He knows His thoughts for you and it is to give you an expected end.  The Expected End can never be in shame, Be Patient, Endure and your ending will be glorious.