(Proverbs 19:11) A person’s wisdom yields patience.

The tree of biblical wisdom—living according to how God created us to live—produces many different kinds of fruit, but one of the primary characteristics demonstrated in the life of the wise is patience. 

Biblical patience is not simply grudgingly putting up with others or our circumstances; it being rooted, content, and at peace in God and with ourselves. 

When we are at peace with God and ourselves, then we have the power to be patient with life itself. Too often we lose patience and want to run ahead of what God is trying to do in our lives, or where he wants to lead us. 

When the Holy Spirit begins to do deep character formation in our inner lives, we get uncomfortable and squeamish. But we are unrealistic to think that there is such a thing as instant character transformation.

As fallen humans, we often prefer a surface-level religion, rather than a heart-level life as true follows of Jesus Christ. For God to do transformational character work in the depths of our inner life, and lead us in his timing, it requires that we live a life of patience. 

There is great promise concerning patience in Isaiah 40:31, it says, “Those who wait in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 

Patience is not living a passive, unmotivated life. It is not a lazy lifestyle. A life filled with the Holy Spirit is living a dynamic, empowered life that is at peace with God, ourselves, and others. 

God's produced peace in our inner lives is not a self-help principle, it is supernatural.

We all get impatient at times. I know I do. I often have to remind myself that patience is the fruit of wisdom produced by the Holy Spirit, it is not the product of my will power. 

God’s ways are not our ways. 

God’s timing is not our timing.

God is our Shepherd of wisdom and peace.

Let's open up our hearts, and receive a patience that only comes from God.