The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Of the list, patience is perhaps the most difficult to cultivate in our time of instant gratification – especially when we want good things! We want love now! Peace now! Kindness, generosity, and faithfulness now!

Perhaps you’re tired of inaction by people whose only answer to the urgent crises of our time seems to be “wait” or “not yet.” Sometimes, patience can become an excuse for irresponsibility. So what might Elisha teach us about faithful patience? And what spirit can sustain Christians to practice faithful patience in times that require urgent action?

Scripture:

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21
Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62