March 2007

Patience

Pronunciation: 'pA-sh&nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English pacient, from Anglo-French, from Latin patient-, patiens, from present participle of pati to suffer; perhaps akin to Greek pEma suffering
1 : bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
2 : manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
3 : not hasty or impetuous
4 : steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity
(Courtesy of Merriam-Webster)

Sometimes when we pray God answers immediately and sometimes it seems we wait and wait and wait and an answer seems to never come. Often times we may miss the answer because we were expecting a certain answer and a different one came.Or perhaps we get an answer and we don't like it...so we ask our question in a different manner as if we might challenge the Lord our God.

In the January posting I mentioned my waiting on God's promise for my marriage. Indeed I am waiting...and each day brings new hope and healing. As I surrender my heart to God and allow him full access to all my hurts, anger, desires, wants, rights, etc. only then do I remain steadfast despite opposition. When I place myself in the light of God's word I am able to manifest a forbearance under strain and provocation. I find as I become more patient (Proverbs 14:29, 15:18, 16:32) I also becoming more loving (I Corin. 13:4). My answer to my prayers has been for me to learn to really love, loving with respect for others and a heart bent on honoring the Lord. As I seek to honor Him who made me, my heart's calloused, scarred outer shell begins to soften and heal.

Are you familiar with the scene in Peter Jackson's rendition of The Two Towers where Helm's Deep's weakness is blown to bits by Saruman's "fire" invention? This breach allows the Uruk-hai to do much, much damage physically and emotionally to the stronghold and people seeking shelter there. When we pray and find ourselves waiting for God's answer...we have our weaknesses exposed in our doubt and the like. Satan takes full opportunity to attack us at our weak point and then keeps the attack coming to strengthen his blow.

When all is going well, our way, we are healthy or our relationships are going smoothly we totally embrace God's promises and truth. But whence under attack and all seems lost - what do we do? If you are like me, sometimes just giving up seems the best thing to do. Or perhaps it seems the most energy efficient or least time consuming. What is it about when we are "in the fire" that it is so hard to be patient? When our spouse does something we thought could never be done/said again or when a friend lets us down or our children continue to misbehave - where is our patience? We know God hears us, but where is his answer?

I feel priveledged to say that his answer is (no, not just blowing in the wind like Bob Dillan would have us think) in how God speaks to us. Through his word, his Holy Spirit, his people and our hearts in prayer. When your prayers seem to be without answer and all about you is under attack, take the time to dive into God's word to see what it says to your heart. Whilst reading ask God to give you his Spirit to understand. Listen to others who love God in what they share with you and also when you pray....make time to listen as well as making your requests known. Indeed, the answer may come all at once, unfold day by day or take a lifetime of patiently waiting (for God's glory and our becoming more like Christ).

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand (patiently) against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil (when everything falls apart around you and your weaknesses are under attack) comes, you may be able to stand (patiently) your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand (patiently) firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6. Emphasis mine)

So, dear sisters in Christ - may we be patient and not loose hope. Just like the "All I need to know I learned from _____" series....all we need to know about our heart issues and God's promises are in God's word.

In Christ,
Elizabeth