Walking in Patience: The Fruit of the Spirit 7-Day Bible-Reading Plan by Kenneth Copeland MinistriesSample

Patience in Action

We’ve talked about how patience activates and keeps our faith moving until we receive from God. Today, we’re talking about what patience looks like in action. 

Let’s remember that patience is also mentioned in THE love verse of the Bible (see today’s reading). What does love have to do with faith and patience? Everything.

Patience includes enduring wrong and ill-treatment without anger or the desire for revenge. It means enduring with people as much as it means enduring through a trial. Love, joy, faith, patience—these are all interconnected. If one is missing, the others won’t work right, and you’ll be left wondering why you aren’t getting a manifestation. Patience springs from love. The Bible says, “love is patient” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

So, if you want to have patience that fuels faith, you’ve got to be walking in love and showing patience to those around you. That means your life will reflect the following:  

• You don’t snap at people when they frustrate you.  
• You don’t make critical or rude remarks to others.  
• You are not easily angered.  
• You assume the best about others.  
• You don’t respond impatiently in stores or on the road.  
• You are a patient spouse and parent.  
• You don’t become frustrated by the passage of time in any given situation.  
• You don’t expect Christians to be perfect. You have patience with their spiritual growth, just as God has patience with you.  
• You have patience at all times and in all situations.

Lester Sumrall said, “Long-suffering (patience) is love on trial, love refined and selfishness conquered.” So, if you struggle with patience, you’re struggling with love. And if you don’t have patience working in you, you are not going to reveal a Christlike image to the world.

This week, set a goal to respond patiently. (Yep, you’re going to have plenty of opportunities to practice!) Then, have a game plan. Holding your tongue, counting to 10, deep breathing, praying in the spirit—whatever it takes. And don’t beat yourself up if you miss it. It takes practice! But you will get it. We’re rooting for you.