Be Steadfast and Patient

My sister is one of the most patient and steadfast people I know…and she is GENUINELY patient and REMARKABLY steadfast.  It is not in pretense on her part nor is it a masked attempt to please others.  She sincerely is who she is.  She keeps to a general routine, plans ahead, and if there is a delay in anything or she finds that she must wait, more times than not, she says, “It’s okay,” and she either keeps herself occupied until the awaited moment, or she patiently sits and watches and waits for the moment to arrive.  She is not just patient with time and situations but with people, too, giving them the benefit of the doubt and not complaining about their lack in any certain area. 

I don’t know many people (if any) who live out patience and steadfastness as well as my sister, but we are ALL called to these two things.  Scripture again and again addresses the need for and rewards of being patient and steadfast.  Take a look:  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”  Isaiah 26:3,4 (NKJV)   “…rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer…”  Romans 12:12 (NKJV)   “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him…”  Psalm 37:7a (NKJV)   “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  I Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)  

There are so many scriptures that speak to how essential it is for us to be patient and steadfast, and they seem to indicate that it really comes down to the state of mind and state of heart provided by the Holy Spirit who leads us in the likeness of God’s character, and Scripture is clear about the patient and steadfast nature of God:  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)   “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…’”  Exodus 34:6 (ESV)   And Galatians tells us that God’s nature in us is the fruit of walking in step with His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). 

Today, if being steadfast and patient are a struggle, draw near to God.  Let His Holy Spirit do some work.  Ask the Lord to show you where you need to make changes and then trust Him to give you what you need to do things differently.