While staying connected to my One Word Friend this past month, though without any specified direction, my new Friend spoke a Lent themed lesson into my heart. Introducing me to another friend well acquainted with previous cohorts Joy and Resilience, my One Word Friend took me on a journey through the Patience of Hope.
Always at work in a believer’s life, patience deepens through tribulation into a resolute determination through which Hope shines.
A robust four months into our journey, Hope lessons abound, speaking deeply into my life. I created a special page on my blog where all my Hope posts live, please take the time to acquaint yourself with the wonders of my journey with this magnificent word.
the character of patience
While we all desire more patience, we dread asking God for it.
Why?
Because as the Apostle Paul shares in Romans chapter five, suffering is the conduit through which God brings the character of patience.
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
I lament the character of patience is not available on Amazon with free two-day shipping.
Because the seasons where I most learned patience surely involved tribulation. At the same time, those seasons also moved me to seek more of God.
In the seeking, I saw His hand at work, which encouraged me to wait on Him, and in the waiting, I learned patience.
As suffering stretches on, patience develops into steadfast perseverance: birthing Hope, anchoring my character in a sure outcome orchestrated by God.
Paul reminds us in Romans 5:1-2, of our justification by faith, and the purchase of peace with God through Jesus Christ, which grants us access to God the Father by grace, filling us with Joy and Hope of our eternal future.
But he then argues in Romans 5:3-5 above those lavish gifts, we glory in suffering because of its perfect work of perseverance, building the character of Christ within us.
Then as a result of experiencing God’s work of sanctification in our lives, Hope shines out of darkness.
the patience of hope
Hope, while nothing more than a confident and Joyful expectation, anchors us to God in times of suffering.
Justified by faith, having received peace with God and access to God through grace, we need not fear suffering. But instead, through confident and Joyful expectation, Hope invites a patient resting in God’s sovereignty.
Patience, over time, blooms into perseverance through experiencing God’s incredible faithfulness.
Which embeds itself in our hearts as unshakeable Hope.
A Hope which never disappoints because God, the Author and source of our Hope pours out His lavish love upon us always, but in unique ways in times of suffering.
Patience introduces us to hope
Through the Peace we have with God through Jesus Christ, and the access we have to our heavenly Father through lavish grace, we learn not only to bring our needs to the Throne of grace, but to rest there.
Resting in the Father’s Presence demonstrates patience; the confident knowing we have nothing to fear, for we are held.
It is in that place of patient rest we meet true Hope. The true Hope which never disappoints because it flows from the very heart of our Father through the Holy Spirit. Resting in our hearts as assurance of the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
I had to laugh about the joy I’d get if I could just buy patience on Amazon! 🙂 I’d pay a lot of money for it. But you’re right that it’s something we have to learn through experience. And through it, find hope. Beautiful, Donna.
Glad to bring you a chuckle Lisa! Sometimes I get so frustrated at the process, I DO wish I could snag it faster and easier. But of course, God’s ways are best, and we simply cannot rush the process!
Donna: You are so right! We learn patience by going through trials and difficult times. Sometimes we don’t realize that God is teaching us as we go through those deep valleys. God’s people must learn patience in order to survive those harsh difficulties that will come our way.
Oh Cecelia, how I wish we didn’t have to learn patience through trial, but praise God with patience we find Hope!
Patience from the pathway of suffering feels hard sometimes, Donna! I appreciate His loving Presence, “Resting in the Father’s Presence demonstrates patience; the confidence knowing we have nothing to fear, for we are held.”
Lisa, patience from the pathway of suffering does feel hard, but indeed His Presence makes all the difference!
Oh Donna! I sometimes think I’m a pretty patient person, and then I have to wait for an unknown answer to come in an unknown amount of time, and I realize I’m not so patient after all! I suppose that is why we need to place our hope in Jesus and not in any particular outcome. God knows what we need, even if it involves suffering (which produces patience, as you point out). Thanks for a wonderful post, and for listening to me process it out loud. 🙂
Lois, it’s funny, so many people comment on how patient I am, but like you, when I’m tested, I know that’s not true! But I’m also learning the source of my impatience is wanting to control the outcome or not liking the outcome! Placing my Hope in Jesus has helped me change my impatient way of handling things.
Donna, I love how you explain patience and the patience of hope. I must admit when you first unveiled that we learn patience from suffering, I was wondering if I could get it with out that. But you are so right. My times of adversity have taught me more patience than ever.
Deborah, I wish we could grow in patience apart from suffering, but too often we need to travel the hard paths to truly grow in patience, but that’s where Hope brings Joy!