THE PATIENCE OF GOD: I AM LIVING PROOF
Have you ever looked back and wondered why God did not give up on you? This encouraging reflection explores God's patience, mercy, and faithfulness, showing how He continues to pursue, correct, and shape His people throughout their lives.
When I look back over my life, I see a God who could have disciplined me more severely, could have left me to the consequences of my own choices, and could have stopped pursuing me long ago. Instead, He patiently taught me, corrected me, protected me, and led me. I am not a testimony to my faithfulness. I am a testimony to His patience.
As I have reflected on my life, one truth stands out above many others: God has been far more patient with me than I have deserved.
Many people speak of God's love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness. All of those are wonderful truths. But I wonder how often we stop and think about His patience.
The Apostle Paul certainly did. Looking back on his own life, he wrote:
βYet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.β (1 Timothy 1:16)
Paul saw himself as a living example of God's patience. I understand exactly what he meant.
There were times in my life when I was stubborn. Times when I thought I knew better. Times when I pursued my own plans instead of seeking God's will. Looking back, I can see moments when God was teaching me lessons I was slow to learn.
Yet He never gave up on me.
He corrected me when I needed correction. He protected me when I did not even realize I was in danger. He opened doors and closed doors. He guided me when I could not see the path ahead. Even in difficult seasons, He was at work accomplishing things I could not yet understand.
The amazing thing is that God's patience is not weakness. Some people mistake patience for indifference, but Scripture teaches otherwise.
βThe Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.β (2 Peter 3:9)
God's patience has a purpose. He gives people time to repent. He gives people opportunities to turn to Him. He continues working in the lives of His children, shaping them into what He wants them to become.
That does not mean He ignores sin. It does not mean He never disciplines His people. In fact, His discipline is one of the ways He demonstrates His love. But even His discipline reveals His patience. Rather than abandoning His children, He continues to work in their lives.
Psalm 103:8 describes God this way:
βThe LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.β
What a description of our God.
As I look back over nearly fifty years since Christ saved me, I see that verse played out again and again. I see a God who was compassionate when I was weak, gracious when I failed, and patient when I was slow to learn.
Perhaps you can see the same thing in your own life.
Maybe you look back and see mistakes you wish you had never made. Maybe you see seasons when you drifted from where you should have been. Maybe you wonder why God continued to pursue you when you gave Him so many reasons not to.
The answer is not found in our goodness. It is found in His character.
God is patient.
The older I get, the more I appreciate that truth. When I look at my life, I do not see a testimony to my faithfulness. I see a testimony to God's patience.
And I suspect I am not alone.
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βWhat I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.β β Dean Butler
This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. Β© The Other Side of Amen
