When you hear or see the word ‘Patience’, I guess what first comes to mind is one’s ability to wait on something or for someone without being angry, upset, annoyed, or acting irrationally. The manifestation is in those moments when you can control yourself and your emotions rather than complaining and conflicting with anyone in the face of provocation, argument, or when things didn’t go the way you had planned or thought.
But there is more to Patience than just that.
Going through and meditating on the scripture in the gospel of Luke chapter 21, it has a lot of information and lessons to learn but we will center on one. Which is Learning to Possess Your Soul Through Patience. Luke 21:19.
The next question is; how can the soul be possessed through patience in this hostile and immoral world?
We find ourselves in a world filled with persecution, hatred, afflictions, violence, pressure, etc. Jesus, fully aware of what would be, gave information that amid whatever negative circumstances within and without, we should endeavor to possess our souls. The implication is to possess your soul through peace and joy in it, which the world cannot take.
Being patient is a great virtue and skill that is very important both on our Christian journey and in relationships with people.
Patience helps in character building, self-development, and growth both in reasoning and behavior.
To assess yourself and know if you’re patient or not, observe how;
- You put away frustration at work and still focus on getting things done.
- Tolerant and calm while dealing with a toddler’s temper tantrum without unleashing anger towards them.
- When you get to wait in a queue or on someone and yet keep your cool.
- Learning something new without getting discouraged.
- Trusting in God for something and not giving up even when faced with delay.
- Being calm and listening to someone else’s point of view even if you disagree.
- Empathically and actively listening to someone else’s struggles and challenges.
- Persistence in prayer and study of God’s Word even during persecution and challenges.
While being patient as Christians, Christ expects us to ensure we possess our souls.
This is because the enemy of our souls, the devil, is on a daily lookout patiently targeting our souls to possess it. The devil can use anyone and anything as tools that will assist him in the possession of our souls. That is why we must be vigilant and prayerful at all times.
Signs that you have your soul:
- Enjoying peace that cannot be understood. This peace can only be found and experienced in God by accepting Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Saviour.
- Experiencing all-time joy even amid persecution or challenges. This unexplainable joy is a gift we have when we have the Holy Spirit residing in us.
- When you are not controlled by your emotions be they negative or positive emotions but rather being controlled by the leading of God’s Spirit.
- Resisting the urge to react to hurtful or negative actions, reactions, and words of people towards you.
- Constant gaze and focus on your destination, the Kingdom of God.
Show me a child of God who has possessed his/her soul and I will tell you of a patient man/woman who keeps reactivity under control, stays engaged despite discomfort, enjoys unexplainable peace, indescribable joy, sensitivity to the leading of the Spirit of God, and focuses on the kingdom of God as his/her goal.
Pray and covet the virtue of Patience.
