Patience: Unswerving Constancy of Intention

This is part two of my series on Tom and Faye. For those who missed part one, let me update you. Tom is sixty-eight years old and was admitted to hospice with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). His gentle and thankful spirit causes one to wonder what he has, what he knows, that others don’t. But I’ve observed that people who are chronically or terminally ill, if they face it the right way, emerge spiritually deeper and stronger. Like trees, their splendor and uniqueness are more majestically displayed right before their leaves fall in the autumn of their lives.

In part one, Tom testified that “Staying humble” helps him cope and added, “I thought I was ten foot tall and bullet proof, that I could move mountains…But God showed me that I’m only about a half inch tall and can only flick rocks.” Despite the total upheaval of their lives, Faye still proclaims, “We are more thankful now than ever. We are happier here than anywhere.” Through humility, seeing who they are and who God is, they have discovered the contentment of a thankful heart.

I don’t want to give you the wrong impression though. Tom and Faye do have problems; their lives are far from easy. After all, life is a series of problems isn’t it? Several weeks ago they were troubled over a conflict with someone close to them. Tom consoled Faye, “Faye, you are seeing through a glass dimly, but bye and bye, you will see more clearly.” He turned toward me and said, “God has been showing me that He can make something good come out of everything.” Tom then quoted Romans 8:28,

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” He added, “But it has to work, like making pickles or sauerkraut. It’s a process and you can’t rush it. It takes time. And some things may not even work out until you are gone. Look at the Apostle Paul. He’s saved more people since his death, through his epistles (letters), than he did when he was alive.”

Tom’s statements encouraged me to explore patience as a virtue, and I discovered that I’ve held some mistaken notions. Again I turned to one of my trusted authors, Charles Finney. He points out in his book, “The Principles of Love”, that the Greek word for patience used in the Bible, is huponome, which means, “Unswerving constancy of intention…perseverance under trials…bearing up under afflictions, privations, crosses, persecutions or discouragements…steadfastness of purpose in spite of obstacles.” That sounds more like a decision, a commitment, than just remaining calm, doesn’t it?

I also turned to the Bible for guidance, James 1:2-4: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work in you, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Now I realize that patience isn’t something you have, its something that should have you. It’s not something you need more of; it’s something you need to “let”.

But how can you hang in there, stay the course, when you don’t see immediate results? The eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews states, “But without faith it is impossible…you have to believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” If we don’t believe, we’ll give up. But we can believe, because God is not a liar. We can take Him at His word and believe His promises.

I’ve also observed, and believe, that without a spiritual and eternal perspective on life, we’ll sink into the discouragement of our circumstances. Hebrews states this about the saints of old, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things, declare plainly that they seek a homeland.” So Tom is right, for sometimes patience means being willing to wait an eternity for the promises.

This is part two of a five part series. Follow this link to read part 3.