While some may see patient waiting as a sign of weakness, it is actually an expression of strength.

“ …strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for attaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy…”--Colossians 1:11.

We humans have a limit to our strength whether it is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. God has created us so that we have need of daily doses of His glorious might, that divine strength that returns glory to Him. Weakness, therefore, is an opportunity to indulge in His might, to receive His power, to be strengthened. “ …for power is perfected in weakness,” according to 2 Corinthians 12:9.

His power works within us to attain the qualities of steadfastness, patience, and joy. Attaining is a process meaning to gain through effort. We must cooperate with the Lord, by first humbling ourselves, and confessing our weakness, in order to receive from Him these three marvelous gifts: 

Steadfastness: state of being firm, fixed, settled, established, constant, unwavering

Patience: steadiness, endurance, perseverance; implies the bearing of suffering, provocation, delay, tediousness, etc., with calmness and self-control

Joy: very glad feeling, happiness, great pleasure, delight, satisfaction

As we depend upon the Lord, His constant supply of strength infuses into our souls steadfastness and patience with joy. While some may see patient waiting as a sign of weakness, it is actually an expression of strength. God’s glorious might works from within, the place where joy is created. Happiness is fleeting, dependent upon external circumstances, but true joy comes from within, from spiritual well-being. “With joy”…God’s bonus that comes with steadfastness and patience, all marks of His power at work in you.

Written by Karen Pourbabee