HOPE AND PATIENCE 

Feeding your hope strengthens your expectation, while hope in turn empowers you to patiently await your expectation. Indeed, hope is empowering!

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:24-25

Expectation produces patience by empowering us to wait patiently for God to grant our desires. Our expectation in Him enables us to wait for His time. Expectation that truly “waits” cannot fail.

As stated earlier, true hope exists when there is a strong desire for something and a corresponding expectation of obtaining it. If this is the case, then we can wait for our desires with patience. On the other hand, when there is a strong desire without a corresponding expectation, impatience will result.

As Christians, our desires must be matched with corresponding expectations. This is what will give us strength to hold on patiently, irrespective of the prevailing circumstances.

Patience, therefore, is necessary to maintain our hope as it works with hope. Without doubt, you need it, if you will hold on to the promise you expect. Please be aware: God will prove your patience before He delivers what he promised!

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36

“What is patience?” Patience can be defined as the quality of being constant, calm, composed, expectantly waiting for something for long, without rage or discontent. This is being single-minded as instructed in the Scripture:

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8 

It is wisdom to remain single-minded in every situation, based on the Word, regardless of what the situation depicts. This way, you fight every thought of doubt and fear with the firm assurance of hope in God’s Word. This is what makes us sound in patience. 

…sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” Titus 2:2

Evidently, God is the Author of patience, just as He is the Source of hope. The Scripture declares:

Now the God of patience…” Romans 15:5

Supernaturally, God imparts your spirit with patience, through the workings of the Holy Spirit in your life. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit referred to as longsuffering in Galatians 5:22.

“Longsuffering” means to be patient and enduring in the face of suffering and difficulties. Joseph endured for so long in the hope of seeing his God-given dream come to pass, which did happen eventually. The same way, your breakthrough, healing, turnaround, etc., will come to pass if you patiently expect it.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

Hope and patience are two forces working together. They both play different roles in our lives as Christians. The word “hope” connotes waiting in expectation; if waiting is involved, then, patience is required.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:24-25

Waiting may be bitter, but its fruit is sweet. If you can be patient, you will have what you desire. Patience and hope go hand in hand; therefore, both are needed.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Among other things, patience builds up your faith and makes you a mature Christian. The Scripture says:

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5

Abraham hoped against hope.

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Romans 4:18-21

“Hoping against hope” means, you believe that God will turn that hopeless situation around, and you are willing to wait patiently for Him to do it, no matter how long it takes.

When a farmer plants his seed in the soil, he leaves it and gives it time to germinate and grow. The only thing he does to help it grow is to weed, fertilise and water it; but if through impatience, he digs the soil to see whether the seed has germinated or not, he will lose both the seed and the harvest. In the same vein, impatience digs up the seed of hope that you have sown.

A wise man said, “Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God’s will.

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This text is an extract from the book “THE FORCE OF HOPE” written by Faith A. Oyedepo
We invite you to read the following article “HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT!“.

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