One thing that is most needful in our homeschooling journey is also the one thing that usually comes with a high price tag; patience. I cringe when people say, “Pray for me to have more patience,” because the biblical prescription is tribulation:
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.–James 1:2,3 (NKJV)
Patience, like our muscles, only grows when it is pushed, often to the point of tearing. When trials come our way, it reveals our attitude and maturity or lack thereof. If we come up short, it will hopefully cause us to cry out in repentance and seek for more of God’s grace in this area. Bit by bit, setback by setback, patience is slowly and almost imperceptibly forged into our character.
While patience does come with a hefty cost, it also produces something priceless within our hearts:
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.–James 1:4
When we walk through trials and tribulations, one after another, we come to understand several important things. First, this life is not all there is. We have eternity to look forward to. Second, and closely related to the first, we are not made to live in this fallen world. The Father has designed us for something so much more glorious. Third, we may be beaten and bruised at times, but we keep on making it through and we keep on coming back. Just like Rocky, we learn how to take a punch. The more we do this, the more confident we become of Christ in us. The devil’s threats and intimidation become increasingly less effective.
Spiritual and emotional maturity is an anomaly in a culture that receives widgets delivered at our front door the very next day as a result of one click of a mouse. In the real world, there is absolutely no way to rush or shorten patience’s pathway; after all, patience and time are inseparable. Any other combination would be nonsensical. When we do see people drink from the cup of patience, it is a beautiful thing to behold.
People who are patient have stripped the enemy of one of his greatest weapons, discouragement, because they know that God makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecc. 3:11). Making it through many dangers, toils, and snares, they come to a full knowledge that truly all things work together for good for those who know God (Romans 8:28). At this point, they become “complete, lacking nothing,” for they truly know that God has everything under His absolute control. Even in seasons of disappointment and despair, there is a quiet confidence.
Some personality types are more easily molded when it comes to acquiring patience while others seem to fight it tooth and nail. The good news is, no matter how obstinate we are, God has all time at His disposal and He patiently works on us until we demonstrate godly patience.
This month’s emphasis for our prayer and fasting is that God would endue us with more patience. More patience in the home. More patience with our spouse and children. More patience with ourselves. Please join us on the second Tuesday in April or on a day that works best for you. May we become entire and completely, wanting nothing.
1. Pray that when trials come our way, the Holy Spirit will gently nudge our spirits to know this is one of the times that God has ordained to teach us patience.
- knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience–James 1:3
- Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;–1 Peter 4:12
2. Pray that we will come to understand how quickly we put emphasis on things in this life that really do not matter in eternity and can quickly cause us unnecessary anxiety and impatience.
- Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.–Col. 3:2
- do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.—Phil. 4:6
3. Pray that we will be patient with ourselves in our spiritual growth as homeschooling parents, understanding that some fruit is harvested on a multi-generational timetable.
- For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.–Psalms 103:14
- Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.–Psalms 51:5
4. Pray that we will become fully aware of and committed to God’s timetable with each of our children, knowing they will bear fruit in due season.
- preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.–2 Timothy 4:2
- As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.–Luke 8:15
5. Pray that patience will help us to guard our mouths to avoid saying anything rash to our spouse or our children.
- [ Qualities Needed in Trials ] So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;–James 1:19
- It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.–Lam. 3:26
6. As we grow in patience, may our children see this result of grace and seek to be the same, if not better.
- My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.–Proverbs 23:26
- You shall know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss.–Job 5:24
7. Pray that we will have numerous encounters with the Spirit of God who will in turn give us more grace for more patience.
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, –Gal. 5:22
- Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.–2 Thes. 3:5
8. Pray that we well realize that life is a marathon not a sprint so that we can relax in the homeschooling journey.
- Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; –Psalms 37:7
- 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.–James 5:7
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