My daughter has asked me not to pray for patience for her anymore.  She says that when I do, God always provides a situation that requires even MORE patience from her!

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to the Epistle to the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV).

In the NIV Bible translation, “forbearance” is the word used for “patience”; in the NKJV version it is “longsuffering” and in the Message “patience” is described as “a willingness to stick with things”.  The dictionary definition is even more verbose to describe the word: Patience (noun): the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  Synonyms: forbearance, tolerance, restraint, self-restraint, resignation, stoicism, fortitude, sufferance, endurance; calmness, composure, even temper, even-temperedness, equanimity, equilibrium, serenity, tranquility, imperturbability, inexcitability, understanding, indulgence, lenience, kindness, consideration, perseverance, persistence, tenacity, diligence, assiduity, application, staying power, indefatigability, doggedness, determination, resolve, resoluteness, obstinacy, insistence, singleness of purpose, purposefulness and pertinacity.

Whatever term or word you want to use, patience is a character trait of the Holy Spirit and one we should desire to emulate in our individual lives.  But, as I have discovered this week, it’s easier said than done!

I am facing a health crisis…again.  Waiting on doctor appointments, tests, and surgery is hard.  There are so many unknowns and I tend to overthink things and allow the enemy to discourage me while I wait for answers.  Therefore, I have asked many to pray for me over this past week and throughout the waiting and treatment period ahead.  Of course I ask God to completely heal me; I rest in the fact that He is Sovereign, whatever His Will is, I am confident He is in control.  It is the waiting on the medical reports that is the hardest for me at this present time and the not knowing what’s next.  It is my speculating and worrying about what is to come that sometimes overwhelms me.  It is imperative I am patient in the midst of this unsettling time.

So, I am asking my loyal readers to send me their prayers and encouragement while I wait.  Pray I have patience, (and all the attributes of the word).  The more people praying the better.  I will update you over the next few weeks how your prayers are being answered.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”  Psalm 5:3