"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

As we continue in the Apostle Paul's exhortation concerning the Believer's responsibility to righteous living, let's now look into being 'patient in affliction'.

We all know affliction (anguish, hardships, trials, tribulations). God has a purpose and goal for it as James so clearly states in James 1:2-4.
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

How are we to respond to the trials and testing? With patience!

The Greek word used here is HUPOMONE:
*"Vine's Expository Dictionary" defines it as, "an abiding under..."
*"The Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible" Herbert Lockyear, Sr., Editor, says, "It may be described as the quality that enables a person to be 'patient in tribulations.'"
*The Open Bible, NKJV, says of patience, "the ability to bear trials without grumbling; perseverance."

With this in mind let's see what Scripture tells us of patience.
Concerning the Trinity:
God is the author,
"Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus." Romans 15:5

Christ is the example,
"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5

The Holy Spirit is the source,
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience..."
Galatians 5:22

Patience is the product--
Of tribulation:
"Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance."
Romans 5:3 The Amplified Bible

Of hope:
"But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure." Romans 8:25

Of the Scriptures:
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
Romans 15:4

Scripture tells us to be patient (to endure) as in the following:
"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all." 1 Thessalonians 5:14

"And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged." 2 Timothy 2:24

"For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36

The example of the waiting farmer has always been a blessed example to me.
"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord, see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts for the coming of the Lord is at hand." James 5:7-8

It is my hope that each of us will delve deeper into the Scriptures concerning our need for patience as we face the things that are going on in the world today. As now and will be more so, I think, we will need to 'abide under' with patience.

We thank You Lord, that You provide the grace to endure. And we thank You Holy Spirit for the fruit of patience that You are guiding us into. All honor and glory belong to You Almighty God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen