Developing Patience Through Abiding in Christ

I was struck with another jolt of inspiration this morning while reading through my devotionals.  I was reading and ingesting a message from Oswald Chambers attached to the following verse from Habakkuk 2:3:

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and not delay”

As I often do, I went to my Bible to read the surrounding verses and what I uncovered was a beautiful message of hope through the very arduous and elusive process of patience.  Habakkuk is a short two page book that is basically a series of questions served up to The Lord followed by His amazing and insightful responses to each question; which are really complaints.  In this particular instance, Habakkuk is complaining about evil men and why they prosper when other, less fortunate people, struggle and fight through life.  In verse 13, he asks:

“Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?  Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?”

Are these not questions that arise every day by both believers and non-believes?  I would even venture to guess that many non-believers are unbelieving for this very reason.  There is so much pain and treachery in the world; why would God allow that?  It’s a good question, and one that certainly I am not equipped to answer.  What I can say is that we all have a choice.  A choice to believe is what God promises through scripture (like the one above); or to choose another belief system that fits our comfort zone and makes it easier for us.  But was it meant to be easy?  I think not, and having a deep faith…..for me anyway…..is the only way I know how to keep my feet moving.  You see, the first verse above is the answer to the second verse.  Our Mighty and Matchless Almighty Father goes on to say in verse 4:

“See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright….but the righteous will live by his faith”

Again, a choice to believe is what it all boils down to.  Having the patience to truly wait upon The Lord.  Certainly not a top quality of mine; patience, long-suffering, delayed gratification, waiting….waiting….waiting; just writing the words gives me anxiety and I know that I’m not alone.  In his message this morning, Oswald Chambers so eloquently proclaims;

Patience in not indifference; patience conveys the idea of an immensely strong rock withstanding all onslaughts.  The vison of God is the source of patience, because it imparts a moral inspiration. 

These incredible words are so powerful for me this morning; I pray that they may impact you in some way as you unpack this with me today.  After so many years; how do I continue to evolve and to continue to develop more patience?  How do we break the chains of old habits at this stage of the game?  “This is just who I am”….. “It is what it is”…..  “I can’t change now”…..all lies from the enemy.  We CAN change; I know this for certain.  I have changed so much in the last few years, I can feel it in my soul.  Do I still struggle with old habits?  Yes.  Do I still sin?  Yes.  Do I still get depressed trying to figure out how I can overcome life’s obstacles?  Yes.  But there is one fundamental change in my life that helps me deal with all of my faults. It is my strong faith in God, my “safety net” that lies underneath me; there …..without judgement…..to catch me whenever I fall.  I no longer have to rely on myself; trying to fix things myself, trying to come up with new strategies…myself….and trying to pull the preverbal rabbit out of my hat…once again.  This is how I lived for so many painful years.  I follow Christ now, He guides me…..and He will see me through until the end.  Or the beginning, depending on what you believe happens after you are done here on this earth.  For me, it’s life eternal in Heaven. 

But here’s the catch.  In order for me to continue to improve, continue to develop more patience, and continue to live the life Christ designed for me…..I must actually do things different.  I have to live differently, and most importantly….I need to stay close to God and “abide” in Him.  As a matter of fact, being a strong Christian is not about trying harder….it is about staying closer.  Bottom line, we must abide in Christ….and keep listening for His direction.  I admit, this is hard for me sometimes…..especially when I get wrapped up in my troubles and failures….that is when the doubt creeps back in.  But it doesn’t take me long to figure out that those doubts and fears are not from God….they are clearly directives from the enemy.  The one who knew me well and encouraged me to run around with him for the better part of 30 years.  He knows my past; but has absolutely NO POWER over me when I’m abiding in Christ.

Of course, this is an over-time process; and not an overnight process….something I’ve learned the hard way recently.  Again, patience is the target here.  Slowing down and listening for what God is going to do; and not getting in the way or out in front of His plans for me.  It’s an inside out process and not an outside in process like I thought it was historically. It’s the process of progressive sanctification; which basically means that God is working inside of me to enable me to replace the works of my flesh with the fruits of the spirit.  You remember these; right:  From Galatians 5:22-23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”

Abiding in Christ is the best way I know how to continue to improve in an attempt to actually display the fruits of the spirit through the way I live my life.  I have a l…o…n…g way to go; but I feel confident this morning that Christ will guide me each day.  The definition of abide helped me this morning and I hope it can help you see what potentially needs to be done in your own life to get you more connected to Christ.  Take a look:

Abide - Accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation).

comply with, obey, observe, follow, keep to, hold to, conform to, adhere to, stick to, stand by, act in accordance with, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, acknowledge

Every single word in this definition strikes a chord with me; this is my desire.  To live closer to Christ; nothing more….nothing less.  I will close today with a poem I wrote while I was in rehab last year.  It kinds of sums up the point of my message today.

Peace and Love; Tony

Decide to Abide and Reside

Our peace; or lack thereof; is the result of series of thoughts; which turn into decisions

Choices that determine which type of life we will live; and quite often those purposeful revisions;

That we make on our journey are a bi-product of many things; but mostly how well we choose

Which paths we will take, what we ultimately believe; even whether we win or we lose;

It is truly up to each and every one of us to decide who and what we will be

Who we will follow; where we will end up; and what type of legacy;

We will leave behind when we are done and have completed our earthly mission

That's right; our assignment while we are here; and if it includes a complete submission;

To God's will for our lives; this unfolds for us as soon as we actually decide

To put our trust in Him; stop living for ourselves; only then can we be free and finally reside;

In the peace and joy that accompanies a true relationship with the One who lingers above

A partnership for all of our days; if only we will decide to abide and reside in His LOVE