10 Mistakes People Make with Patience (plus 1 bonus)

October 30, 2013 by

Christian reading in his book (from Pilgrim's Progress)Lightning fast read meant to make you think…

10 Mistakes People Make with Patience (plus 1 bonus):

1. Wonder why they are then put in situations requiring patience (“why is this happening to me?”) when they prayed to grow in it. (James 1:3)
2. Don’t realize the opposite of patience (the ability to wait) is passion (the inability to wait); the latter will have all its joys in this life (temporarily) while the former (patience) will have all its joys in the next life (everlastingly) (from Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan). (Hebrews 6:12-15; 12:2, 16)
3. Miss that God has put off dealing with wicked men for a time (divine patience) and for the sake of those He is saving (who will come to faith in Jesus Christ). (Romans 9:22)
4. Overlook that patience is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (meaning that only through God’s empowering and help can a person ever truly be patient). (Galatians 5:22; John 15:5).
5. Don’t realize it is the primary component of love (love is choosing for the highest help of one’s object of affection). (1 Corinthians 13:4a)
6. Forget it’s the doorway to rest and peace, wholeness and a fulfilling life. (Psalm 37:7; John 10:10b)
7. Miss how patience has as as its focus the nearness of the coming of Jesus Christ back to the earth. (James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:8)
8. Overlook that complaining is an earmark/a tell tale sign of impatience. (James 5:9-11)
9. (For preachers) It’s missing from their preaching (?) in the sense that they would see change take place right now (many times God’s dealing with people is via a process of life and over time, day after day). (2 Timothy 4:2; James 5:7-11; 1 Corinthians 13:4a; 1 Thessalonians 5:14e)
10. Forget that the patience (kindness) of the Lord is meant to draw sinners (you and me) to repentance (to turn from sin and surrender our lives to God). (Romans 2:4; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9)

BONUS Forget its connection to the sovereignty of God (we are strengthened in patience when we realize all things are happening according to God’s plan and that nothing happens apart from His plan including when Antichrist rules). (Revelation 13:10; KJV)

(Christian reading in his book in Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan picture above is in the public domain: click here. PD-US)

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Pastor Mike is making the most of web technologies to encourage disciples. A self-proclaimed “twitterholic,” one twitter follower describes him as the “jogging, blogging, tweeting Pastor.” Visits to Pastor Mike’s blog (A Heart For God) number in the hundreds of thousands. His video blogs have been viewed over a half a million times.