Raise your hand if you could use more patience in your life! What if we told you that you already have all the patience you need? You might think that’s impossible, but let me explain. 

The Fruit of Patience

The moment you asked Jesus into your heart, you received the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5 says that the fruit of the spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience (long-suffering), kindness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness, and self-control. Patience is part of the fruit that was planted in your spirit.

So why don’t we see these wonderful fruits active and producing in our lives? I don’t know about you, but It seems like the more I try to bear the fruit of patience, I end up “fleshing out” and getting frustrated with others or my situation. The more I try to have self-control, the more the Oreo cookies have a staring contest with me and win! Can you relate?

Unfortunately, the fruit of the spirit isn’t something that you just have in its mature form. It’s referred to as fruit for a reason. How does fruit start out? All fruit begin as seeds. And the fruit of the spirit is no different. The cool thing about seeds is that all the potential for becoming a mature fruit is in that seed. However, unless a seed is cultivated in the right kind of soil, it won’t grow. You can set a seed on a table, and it will never do anything but sit there. But the moment it is put in the ground, it starts doing what it was created to do. The potential of that seed is released.

The seeds of the fruit of the spirit work the same way. They will lie dormant in our lives until they are cultivated with the right soil, water, and light. Sorry to say, it doesn’t do any good to pray for more patience, more joy, or more self-control. No, you just need to plant those seeds in the correct soil.

The Bible teaches us that everything spiritual grows out of love. We are to be rooted and grounded in love. No love, no fruit. plain and simple. So, how do we do that exactly? Glad you asked!

3 Keys to Grow in Patience

• Walk in love. I know that’s easier said and done! When you read 1 Corinthians 13, love seems like an insurmountable task. But remember, you are not doing this alone! You have the Holy Spirit guiding you and helping you to live a life of love. It takes wisdom and power from Him to put the flesh down and truly let love win.
  The first description of what love is in 1 Corinthians 13:4 is patience. Therefore, focusing on patience seems like a good place to start, don’t you agree? Love cultivates the soil of your heart with the right “nutrients” to develop Christian characteristics.
  We continue to cultivate the soil of our hearts by reading the Word daily, going to church weekly, and constantly putting the Word of God in our eyes and ears.
• Choose your close friends wisely. You might be wondering, what do friends have to do with patience? Well, we are talking about cultivating the growth of patience in your life. Once you have good soil going on through the Word, You water that Word with like-minded believers as well as listening to faith-filled podcasts or other Christian programming.
  It’s important that your friends (or those you listen to) don’t hinder your spiritual growth by feeding you with frustrations, gossip, bitterness, and the like. Just the opposite, those you are around you the most should encourage your faith walk. They should help you refocus on the Word of God and pray with you when you’re running low.

Time in the SON. Just as plants need sunlight to grow, we need to abide in THE SON. Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
That word nothing includes being patient. We cannot expect to produce anything spiritual in and of ourselves – it’s only through HIM that we have victory in our lives.
- The sun provides light – likewise, Jesus will shed light on the situations you are facing.
- The sun gives warmth – likewise, Jesus will wrap you in His arms of comfort and peace.
- The sun gives energy – likewise, Jesus provided the power through His Holy Spirit to work and do His will in your life.