PATIENCE & SUFFERING | BEING PATIENT TOGETHER

1. Patience And Suffering

a) You are waiting at a bus stop. It's pouring rain. The bus is running late. Your kids are squabbling. You've just realized that you left your credit card at a hotel's checkout. It's moments like these that patience is a virtue hard come by. It's easy to be patient when the weather is perfect, the bus runs on time, the kids are like saints, and your purse is in order.

b) In the same way — in your spiritual life — its easy to be patient with God when your church is wonderful, your neighbors are tolerant, your prayers are all answered, your sins are few and forgiven, your spouse and family share your faith, you have no enemies nor opposition, and you are blessed with love, health, and money. But it may not be that way for you, and certainly that's not how it is for many Christians.

c) Paul, and the people he served in the gospel, did not have an easy time in their faith, otherwise why would he exhort them to be "rejoicing in hope, patient in troubles, devoted to prayer" (Romans 12:12)? They had hope for the future but tribulation in the present. So they were encouraged to be patient and prayerful while they suffered.

2. Being Patient Together

a) It is very hard to be patient alone. Sufferings need to be shared. We draw encouragement from each other and are strengthened by one another's example.

Revelation 1:9 
"I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, and in the kingdom and patience of Christ Jesus, was on the island called Patmos. I was there because of God's Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ."

2 Thessalonians 1:4 
"...we ourselves talk proudly about you in the congregations of God. That's because of your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure."