Hola Amigos

It’s been the first week in Pura vida country of Costa Rica! Being here I have had the opportunity of working alongside Oceans Edge. This week was focused on homeless ministry. Many of the homeless are also drug addicts. This being said it is a practice of patience, seeing that many of the “guests” abuse the system. They know that they have a place to eat and hangout, meanwhile there are thousands of construction jobs open for anyone that would be willing to just walk up to a crew and say ” I work for you now”, honestly, that all it probably takes. Now obviously not everyone is capable of doing construction work because of physical deficiency. But you start think why they are physically deficient in the first place (drugs), it is hard to be patient with someone that places homelessness on themselves. A cool thing about the homeless ministry, is that it is a government funded program, meaning if one of the “guests” maintains within the program for three consecutive days, they have they opportunity to go to rehab for three months, they just have to be willing to go. The sad part is watching the people that choose not to go! In that moment you have to show them love that they don’t normally get when the refuse to turn their life around. See it is one thing to show Christ’s love when they comply, but another when they are rebellious to their own good.Now into a look into patience:

There is a strong relationship between patience and other aspects of the Christian life. Lets consider some of them in the light of what the Scriptures have to say about them.

-Patience and suffering.

 No one goes through life without some measure of suffering. This is part of our “schooling.” The psalmist said, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:71). Trials for the Christian may be likened to the work of sheep dogs: they keep the sheep close to the shepherd. Trials are the discipline of a loving heavenly Father who wants us to share in His holiness. Hebrews 12:7–11 explains this:

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!… God disciplines for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.The young plant that is bent back and forth by the wind develops strong and deep roots. The opposing winds of this life help the Christian to develop strong and deep roots in Christ and to have a submissive spirit.

Many Scriptures reveal that to follow Christ includes a cross. In 1 Peter 2:21 the apostle wrote, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” Because we live in a spiritually hostile world there are always enemies to be defeated. Jesus suffered at the hands of a pagan Pilate and an angry crowd from the outside world. But He also suffered as a result of unfaithful Judas on the inside. Whether we are required to learn patience by trials in the world or within the Christian fellowship, Jesus is our example. When He was tempted by Satan, He rejected the idea of a throne without a cross (Matthew 4:1–11). Again as He considered the suffering that lay ahead of Him, He rejected the same idea (John 16:17–33).

-Patience and perseverance. 

Many Bible translators interchange the words patience and perseverance. Perseverance speaks of endurance, or holding on to that which you believe no matter what happens. Someone has said that makrothumia is love patiently waiting even in suffering. Colossians 1:9–11 tells us how we may endure with patience: For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

-Patience, joy, and hope. 

In Romans 5:3–4 grouped together are suffering, joy, patience, and hope: “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” These verses show the progression of Christian development and maturity through suffering and patience, leading to hope. It is not too difficult to wait and hope when things seem to be working out, but when nothing seems to be happening to relieve the suffering, the natural reaction is to feel despair and hopelessness. Patience, as the fruit of the Spirit, is not a gloomy and blind acceptance of this kind of situation—it is being filled with joy and confidence in the Lord. Such patience makes us echo the psalmist, “You are my God. My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:14–15).

-Patience and wisdom. 

Proverbs 14:29 says, “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” A patient person will try to understand all sides of a problem before he draws conclusions and makes judgments. This characteristic will help parents to train their children wisely; it will promote peace within the body of Christ; and it will help each of us in our daily relationships.

-Patience and peace.  

Patience as spiritual fruit is a powerful resource to calm a situation. Proverbs 15:18 describes what happens: “A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.” This goes back to the idea of being a peacemaker. A patient man will not be controlled by his anger but will demonstrate the peace of God in his actions, words, concern, and assistance. 

-Patience and strength. 

Strength is associated with an able-bodied person or one being heavily guarded or protected. Proverbs 16:32 tells us: “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” In the spiritual sense, the strong person is the one who is patient.

-Patience and forgiveness. 

To bear with one another and forgive one another with love we need the fruit of patience. In Colossians 3:12–13 the apostle Paul exhorts the church:

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Jesus told His disciples the story of an ungrateful man who would not forgive his fellow servant after he, himself, had been forgiven (Matthew 18:21–35). Jesus said that his master turned the man over to the jailers until he paid back all he owed. Jesus then added, “‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart’” (v. 35).

Patience as the fruit of the Spirit is the basis for forgiveness. So patience and long-suffering also include a forgiving spirit. We read in 1 Corinthians 13 that love is patient, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, and always perseveres.

-Faith plus patience. 

Faith is vital for the Christian, because the righteous will live by faith. But sometimes faith must be proved to be refined, and it is with patience that we stand the test. Faith, patience, and God’s promises are all involved in the beautiful passage of Hebrews 6:11–12: “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

Alrighty, that was just a little insight to my time in ministry this week, until next ime friends! Love you all!