We need God’s strength moment by moment, don’t we? We need it physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Colossians 1:10-14 tells us that God strengthens us “with all might, according to His glorious power, UNTO all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” It doesn’t say He strengthens us to do mighty acts, but to be PATIENT!
Patient and longsuffering in our daily tasks– and joyful too! Patient with our children. Patient with our husband. Patient in trials, even when we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel! We need God’s strength for this kind of patience, don’t we?
The MLB translates it: “unlimited patience”! Wow! Our patience runs out quickly, but God’s patience is unlimited. God promises to fill us with His glorious power so we can exercise His unlimited patience in our lives.
This reminds me of James 1:3-4: “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The strange thing is, most of the time we are not patient enough to let patience have its full work! We give up before God has finished working out in our lives what He wants to accomplish.
I love how The Living Bible puts it: “When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”
Dear mother, don’t despair when everything is going wrong. Rejoice! Let God work out His patience in you. This is how He makes you strong in character. God doesn’t want to do a half-work in you, but a full-grown work!
Be blessed,
Nancy Campbell