Article April 28, 1928 ISSUE

Patience

CONSTANCE CHOISY

In his epistle to the Galatians Paul writes, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Of all the qualities here mentioned the one that at first sight may seem to lack inspiration is that of longsuffering. In the common usage of the word, long-suffering does not seem very desirable; and yet it is intimately associated with patience; and patience is essential to the student of Christian Science who is traveling on his journey from sense to Soul with the desire to gain the fruits of the Spirit.

There is nothing more inspiring, more truly active, than the work which is the outcome of patient endurance. To endure with patience the difficulties of material existence, with its sin, sickness, and death, is not to go through dark times helplessly waiting for a brighter future, with either calm resignation or dogged determination. Instead, it is to make these experiences grand opportunities to work through the mists "into the glorious liberty of the children of God," with the realization that, in spite of what the material senses would have us believe, "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." When troubles appear most overwhelming is the time to remember the words of the Holy One of Israel quoted in Isaiah, "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

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