“To be patient is to have been made accustomed to failure.”

That is to say, one who is patient has learned that things will go wrong. But even so, a patient person does not stagger at adversity, but welcomes it, and perhaps, even expects it. As it is written in Romans 5:3: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”

It took me a long time to grasp this, and it is something that I am still learning. Inexplicable events, and inexplicable misfortunes have cast a great deal of doubt within my heart. And yet I am reminded of Joseph, and his struggles in slavery, and later in prison. And Job, and his seemingly inexplicable troubles, where he lost everything but his life. And lastly, Jesus, about whom it was written that God would smite the shepherd, and his sheep would scatter. His friends, and those that swore allegiance to Him, some even unto death, would soon leave Him; and not only flee, but deny Him.

And so, with this in mind, I encourage anyone going through similar struggles to cling to this verse:

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” -1 Peter 4:12-13

I got to thinking about all of the sorts of things that I liked to do before I was saved - the things I watched, the music I listened to, and my thoughts and dreams. I see how much God has changed me over the years, and how He has shaped and molded even my very thoughts. It was then that I started to realize where I had been, and where God had brought me:

“From violence to violets.” 

And despite any heartaches, or hard lessons that I have had to learn, (and am still learning), I am so grateful for what God was wrought in my life by His Holy Spirit. I feel as though I have gone from simply being a primitive monkey with only narrow and selfish thoughts and goals, to one who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the author of creation. What a promotion through the grace of God!

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

-1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Here’s my saying:

“The Holy Spirit is our means of knowing and experiencing God in this earthly life. He is the point of contact between dirt and the divine.”

And, here’s some verses to go along with this:

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” -John 16:13 - 14

Here is a saying that I came up with. I think it explains very succinctly the principle that doing something you’ve never done before is difficult, and without a teacher or guide, you are bound to make mistakes.

Maybe it has been said before by different people or in different ways, but to my knowledge, here it is for the first time:

“Life is very hard, especially on your first try.”

And now to add to this is the fact that Jesus is the One who has gone before us, and has lived the Christian life for us. We need not stumble through life, because we have a guide, and a light.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

And not only that, but we have others that have gone before us too:

“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

We’ve got no excuse to remain defeated in life! Others have gone before us and triumphed over much worse than what we have to deal with. And most of all, with have the Holy Spirit, God within us, to help and guide us into all truth.

For some reason, I had always thought that the word “diligence” meant to do something with intensity or fervor. Then later, I had thought just the opposite, that diligence meant to do something patiently, or thoroughly.

Now, I believe that God has shown me that it is a balance of both. Here’s a little saying that I wrote, and then some verses to help give it more meaning:

“Diligence is passion, tempered with patience.”

Here are some verses from Hebrews to go along with this:

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” -Hebrews 11:6

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” -Hebrews 12:14-15