Rise Up: Fresh, Free, Fruity: Peace and Patience
The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:22–23:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
The Christian life is not just about what we do but who we are becoming. When the Holy Spirit is at work in us, He produces fruit—character traits that reflect Jesus Himself. Among these are peace and patience, two fruits that often get tested in the storms and stresses of life.
In a world of anxiety, hurry, and pressure, the Spirit calls us to rise up fresh, free, and fruitful, showing what it means to be anchored in Christ. Let’s explore what peace and patience mean and how they grow in our lives.
Peace: The Presence of Christ
1. Peace is who Jesus is
Isaiah 9:6 calls Him the “Prince of Peace.” Peace is not simply the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of Christ. Jesus offers peace that is different from what the world can give. He said:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
This peace isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s rooted in the character of Jesus, who never changes.
2. Peace is the result of trust
Isaiah 26:3 promises:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Peace grows as we fix our eyes on God and trust Him through uncertainty. It’s a fruit ripened not in times of calm but in the storms. Think of the disciples in the boat (Mark 4:35–41). The waves crashed, fear rose, but Jesus slept—completely at peace. When He spoke, the storm stilled. The challenge for us is this: do we have faith to speak peace into our storms?
3. Peace is the guard of our hearts
Paul writes in Philippians 4:6–7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God’s peace acts like a soldier standing watch over our thoughts and emotions. Anxiety plus prayer, petition, thanksgiving, and surrender equals the supernatural peace of God. It’s peace that doesn’t always make sense, but it is real, strong, and protective.
4. Peace is complete
Colossians 3:15 urges us:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
This peace is not partial. It rules, governs, and brings wholeness. It’s not temporary relief but lasting stability—complete shalom.
Patience: The Partner of Peace
Peace and patience are like two sides of the same coin. Peace is the calm God gives within; patience is the way we carry that calm into a stressful world. Without peace, we run out of patience. Without patience, we lose our peace. But together, they make us steady—calm on the inside and gracious on the outside.
1. Biblical patience is “longsuffering”
The Greek word used in Galatians 5:22 is makrothumia, which means long-tempered, slow to anger, enduring for the long haul. This is far deeper than our English idea of patience. It’s not just waiting without grumbling; it’s bearing with people in love.
Ephesians 4:2 says:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Patience isn’t passive—it’s active endurance. It’s choosing to stay the course in relationships, ministry, and life even when it’s tough.
2. God is longsuffering toward us
The ultimate example of patience is God Himself. Over and over the Bible describes Him as “slow to anger and abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8).
Romans 2:4 reminds us:
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
God’s patience isn’t weakness—it’s mercy. He waits, not because He is unable to act, but because He longs for us to repent and be saved. His longsuffering is our hope.
3. Why patience matters today
We live in a culture of instant gratification. Everything is on demand: food, entertainment, answers. But spiritual fruit doesn’t grow overnight. Patience pushes back against the hurried, disposable mindset of our age. It says: I will trust God’s timing. I will stay committed. I will endure in love.
Patience:
- Builds strong marriages that last through storms.
- Sustains friendships through distance and misunderstanding.
- Holds churches together in unity and grace.
- Keeps hope alive when justice seems delayed.
- Witnesses to the world that there is another way—the way of Christ.
When we choose patience, we reflect the longsuffering love of God. We declare that transformation takes time, people are worth the wait, and God’s purposes are worth enduring for.
Living Fresh, Free, and Fruity
The call today is simple but challenging: let the Holy Spirit grow peace and patience in your life. These are not fruits we can manufacture by willpower. They come from abiding in Christ, walking in step with the Spirit, and surrendering daily to His work.
Longsuffering says to God: “I trust You even when it’s slow.”
Longsuffering says to others: “I won’t give up on you when it’s hard.”
Longsuffering says to the world: “There is a better way—the way of Christ.”
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, endured the cross with perfect patience so that we might live in His peace and walk in His Spirit. Because of Him, we can rise up fresh, free, and fruity—overflowing with peace and patience in a restless world.
Application Questions
- Where in your life right now do you need to speak the peace of Christ into a storm?
- What situations or people are testing your patience, and how can you respond with Spirit-empowered longsuffering instead of frustration?
- How does trusting in God’s timing challenge the culture of instant gratification around us?
- In what ways could your peace and patience witness to others about the reality of Christ in your life?
- What step can you take this week to let the Holy Spirit cultivate deeper peace and patience in you?