Develop a Patience of Hope
July 2, 2007
By Albert Friend
I sold a home on land contract. I set up the loan so the payment was low enough for the working man. My advertisement was: “Buy the payment. Time will treat you good.” I sold the home and the land contract is now paid off. The man is now the owner of a home free and clear of debt. He realized, “I can make that payment.”
This is true with other things we want and need. What is it you want—is it peace, hope, stability, control, happiness? The price you pay for them is patience. Happiness comes from deciding what you want and—with patience—keep focused until you possess it. If you will do this, time will treat you well.
My wife and I have seen some tough times raising four children. The woman has it harder because she cannot see into the mind of her man his plans for being a better provider. My words to my wife were, “Have patience. Time will treat us good.” I could see it, but she had to believe me. She came up to me the other day and said with a smile, “Honey, time has treated us good. I didn't have to put back anything in the checkout line. I paid for it all.”
Patience gives you a grip on life. God rules the universe with laws He established. Patience is possession. It is a law. If you have patience you already possess your promised desire. As long as I have the patience of faith, I have a hold on my soul—and my goal. As Jesus said, “In your patience possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19).
The patience of possession is the key. I am in this for the long haul. Patience is the price I must pay to be successful in my walk with God. If that is what it costs, I will make the payment. Time will treat me good. Scripture verifies this, “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11).
Today I have more patience; I love it. I preach it. I share it. If you will pay the price of patience, time will treat you good. If you will pay the price of patience, you will possess patience--and in your patience you will possess your soul and your goal.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Albert Friend
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Albert Friend is a 77-year-old minister of 57 years. He lives in Hamilton, Ohio, with his wife, Jean. They had four children: Albert, Michael, Bonnie, and Mark. All four children went into the ministry.