p. 139 | Patient in Well-Doing by Nellie F. Heald

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1875

Patient in Well-Doing.

By Nellie F. Heald

Patience is a grace that we need constantly to exercise. There is no calling or condition in life in which we can be exempt from trials and temptations; and consequently the need of patience. The path that leads to the “many mansions” of our Father’s house is not a path of ease or pleasure-seeking, but is toilsome and self-denying; and the Christian pilgrim will never find occasion to say, I have no need of patience. It is true, there are joys and blessings by the way, but these in our present state are not without alloy, and we have need of the patience of hope.

In our daily life, in its varied duties, cares, and annoyances, we need the sweet grace of patience. This is one of the lessons that our divine Teacher is constantly striving to impress upon our hearts; and at every step of our onward progress we are tested upon this point.

Not unfrequently we fail to bear the test, and bring to ourselves sorrow and regret. It is only when we rely upon Christ our Saviour that we can have grace to overcome, and possess our souls in patience. In the school of Christ must we learn the all-important lesson of patience in well-doing. He has set before us a perfect example of patience. He was made like to his brethren—tempted in all points as we are. And though “he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” He overcame the power of temptation, and to us he says, “Be of good cheer.” Yet it is only in proportion as we recognize our Saviour in the discipline of life, in its disappointments, losses, cares, and anxieties, its pain and weakness, its sorrows and bereavements, and hear his voice saying, “It is I, be not afraid;” that we can comply with his exhortation: “Be of good cheer.”

To believe and recognize Him as always near and mighty to save is the only antidote for our doubts and fears. Then when the winds and waves of trouble beat upon the frail bark of the Christian mariner, he may hear, amid the roaring of the billows and the noise of the tempest, the voice of Jesus as he walks upon the troubled waters, saying, “It is I, be not afraid.” So long as we voyage upon the perilous ocean of this life, we need not be surprised if we are sometimes “in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves.” But he whose watchful eye ever discerns all our danger will not permit us to sink, but will say to the raging storm—“Peace, be still.”

It is the design of all our trials to work in us that humble and patient spirit so acceptable in the sight of God. The apostle James says, “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1: 2-4. The happy state of which the apostle speaks is to be attained through the discipline of temptations or trials, by which our faith is tried, in which patience must have its perfect work. We are not apt to consider a season of trials as an occasion of joy, yet the apostle says, “Count it all joy,” knowing that the discipline it affords, though painful for the time, is designed to repay us richly in the end. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb. 12:11.

We should in no wise yield to despondency or become disheartened on account of trials. They are needful to prove us, to correct our faults, purify our affections, and remind us that this world is not our abiding home. Are they not an evidence of God’s special love and watchcare over us? For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, or correcteth. If we are without correction, then are we not children. The psalmist says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” Ps. 119:71. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word.” Verse 67. And Paul says, “We glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” Rom. 5:3.

Christ, who sits as a refiner and purifier of his people, permits our trials, that through suffering we may be purified, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit with patience. There is always a “need be” in sufferings to which he appoints us. “Though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.” 1 Pet. 1:6. That vast multitude, seen in prophetic vision, whose robes were made white in the blood of the Lamb, are they which came out of great tribulation. Not one amid all that white-robed throng escaped the trying ordeal; neither can we escape; for “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. They sought and obtained the great reward through “patient continuance in well-doing.” If we would be accounted worthy to appear in that future kingdom of glory with our robes of character made white in the blood of the Lamb, we must continue patient in well-doing, and cheerfully accept the discipline that shall fit us to enter there.

But while we seek for grace to overcome, and patience to endure, we should not be unmindful of the fact that patience is closely allied to temperance; that obedience to the laws of health greatly promotes the exercise of that patient spirit so highly commended in the word of God, while disobedience is a hindrance. Overexertion and undue anxiety in the cares and business of life are unfavorable to patience; so also is excess in any direction; especially is this true in the indulgence of appetite. When overcome by the power of appetite, we lessen our power to overcome in other respects. Patience and temperance are twin virtues that walk hand in hand.

“Every one that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” In those races which were celebrated near Corinth, those who contended for the prize subjected themselves to the most careful diet, strict temperance, and self-denial, without which no one could expect to succeed. This they did to win a wreath of laurel, which was considered a token of special honor. The laurel wreath would soon wither and decay, and the honor was but transient. If they could thus deny themselves to win a crown that so soon would fade and perish, cannot we be temperate and self-denying, who seek a crown of immortality that fadeth not away, the honor and glory of which is eternal? Shall we not lay aside every weight that we may run with patience the race that is set before us? Every victory gained is a step forward. The path of duty and obedience is the path of safety and will bring us at last to the heavenly Zion, with songs and everlasting joy. “Then let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9.

NELLIE F. HEALD.

Temple, N. H.