Fear No Fear

“rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer,” (Romans 12:12, MEV). Suffering comes at us from all sorts of directions. Coworkers, customers, strangers on the street, in traffic, with friends, with family, and with the circumstances that we find ourselves in. They can be big things and they can be small things, but the pricks and pins of this world cause us suffering because they are VERY MUCH not pleasant. Human beings sometimes seem like rolls of sandpaper rubbing up against each other. Here we are born again, restored, righteousness-of-Jesus-in-Jesus people who are like dowels of fresh pine. We get scratched and rubbed and worn down just by being around them. The great news is that Jesus made provision for that. He renewed our HEARTS. They are fields of fertile soil ready for seeds. Jesus sent us Holy Spirit to live in us. Holy Spirit has FRUIT. We can use His while we take the seeds and plant that Fruit in our OWN hearts. To grow up into a MIGHTY crop. When we need patience, God doesn’t give us opportunities to learn patience. He GIVES US HIS OWN PATIENCE! The patience that lets Him look on us with love as we struggle, fight, and (sometimes very) slowly align ourselves with Him. The patience that lets Him smile when we do foolish things. The patience that lets Him smile when we disobey. The patience that keeps His manner gentle, kind, and loving no matter what. The patience He gave to us because He wants us to be just like Him. Because He LOVES us and wants the best for us. And being patient will show His love THROUGH us, to the world around us. Calling them to come to Him so that THEY can be loving, loved, and just like Him too. That’s what salvation is all about. Not just BEING saved, but being a witness to others for their own salvation. Showing them the Jesus in us, so that they too can come to Him, be saved, and have their whole lives transformed. Patience can seem such a small thing, but it is a mark of how much He loves us that He gave it to us. It’s a vital tool of our best witness of Him.