What really is long suffering patience in the face of conflict? When the road gets tough or conflict arises, a part of me wants to run, to hide, or to avoid the person. Yet, that is not the fruit of the spirit referred to in Galatians 5:23. After all, if God had justly turned His back upon me in my rebellion, I could never know His Grace. It has been with everlasting patience that He persisted forward in the face of Conflict. Patience in the face of conflict presses forward much like the oxen ploughing the rough and stony field. Tethered with a yoke upon his back, he presses forward until the work is done.
When I refuse to face the trials or conflict, they grow within me until frustration overtakes my heart. Thusly, it destroys true love, joy, and peace. The task must be completed—pressing steadily patiently forward. Never looking to the right or left, the oxen must press forward. And so, do we. Not taking our eyes off the goal, we press steadily forward. Nor are we to allow anger or selfish desires to enter in. We must allows be reminded of God’s patient steady love that deals with our rebellious hearts and emulate that kind of patience.
Isaiah 50:4-9
The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help me; therefore, shall I not be confounded. Therefore, have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God will help me.
This year God called to leave everything here behind, to go where He commanded. It is love that calls me forth. With diligent patience I waited for Him to work it out. Now the time is drawing near, and my heart is flooded with emotion. I must leave all those whom I love so much here to go to those whom I love there. Amid these floods of emotion, I am also leaving my coworkers, my patients, and a job that defined me to start afresh in a new job. All the wheels are in motion. When I began this job five years ago, I was tasked with building a new service line. Somewhat, it has been my child to nurture, to grow, and to watch it flourish. Pressing forward with heart and soul, the soil was tilled with God’s help.
Now, I must let go and move on to a new field.
Persevering with Patience to the End
In one week and 2 days, I am turning over everything to others to keep and maintain. A part of me wants to nourish and protect. The field has grown too large for one to care for and will require two. Only one has arrived and the second is coming; however, delayed. I diligently pressed to have it better cared for than I could do. Letting go before all is set in place is hard; but I know God is Sovereign. He will take care to protect all I leave behind. After all it is His work.
Harder still is leaving behind my precious grandbabies here. Yet, in that case I know how wonderfully they will be cared for. My son, his wife, and her family are the example of a Godly family. Though I will miss them dearly, I know they are in wonderful hands.
Mom has chosen to stay here in the nursing home and I will miss her as well; but my son will be here. Everything is prepared for her best. Her private room I have filled with everything she loves-bookcases, books, pictures, cassettes and tapes to fill her day with God.
Concluding Thoughts
Now there is one more conflict I must resolve before leaving and I don’t know how. But God does. A part of me would want to walk away now; but it is with His Grace and Helping hand, I must press forward. To do so I need God to take over my heart and my words. I must let Him lift high the yoke and till the field to the end. For of my own ability, I cannot. But He can. All things work together for good to those who love Him. Romans 8:28. He can even fix my mistakes and turn them for His glory. Yoked with God, I can finish the task. That is my prayer today.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
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Previous Posts to Consider
One Failed Peacemaker and a Gracious God
In a World Divided How Can One Find Peace?
The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy
Displaying the Fruit of the Spirit Love. How?
Perfect in Love Oh How Can it Be?
Is Your Fruit of Love Sweet or Bitter?
How Does God Prepare the Soil for Growth?
What Fruit is the Garden of Your Heart Producing?
How to Discern the Voice of God from Yours?
POEMS
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.