Why You Need Both Patience and Self-Control

 

By: Sarah Geringer

When I study the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, these two always trip me up.

Love, peace and joy seem more attainable. Kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness aren’t huge challenges for me.

But patience and self-control? They are constant challenges.

Do you feel that way too?

We live in a fast-paced, indulgent world. Patience and self-control aren’t valued in the culture-at-large. The messages we hear and the images we see promote Satisfaction. Right. Now.

Our theme verse for today indicates that power and the ability to conquer others were highly valued then as they are now. Pride is at the root of a desire for power, conquering, and immediately having your own way.

Scripture affirms the greater value of both patience and self-control—two fruits we may not appreciate as much as God does. But He wants our appreciation to grow, so we can serve and inspire others.

Consider these additional verses:

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 NIV

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Titus 1:8 NIV

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:4-5 NIV

Here's why we need both patience and self-control.

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Jesus was both patient and self-controlled. If we want to become more like Jesus, we must pursue both unappreciated fruits. We can take practical steps to grow each fruit in the following ways:

Remember that these two fruits are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, who bears the fruit in you. Pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to use you as a vine for both fruits.

Choose one of the above verses for Christian meditation this week. Ponder every word in the verse, asking yourself what it tells you about God and what it tells you about yourself.

Learn your triggers for both impatience and a lack of self-control. When faced with temptation in those areas, recite the verse to yourself and count to ten, telling yourself you will choose God’s way instead of your own.

This summer, you can develop a new appreciation for these two fruits. As you bear them in your life, you will show Jesus to others and gain greater peace.

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings and God's peace to you,

Sarah Geringer
Finding Peace in God's Word

Photo from Pexels.com

Reflection questions:

1. Which of these two fruits is hardest for you to bear, and why?

2. What change will you make today to start bearing more fruit for God’s glory?

Note: A version of this post was originally published on June 15, 2018.