Have Patience by V. J. OLSEN

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 1, 1879

Have Patience.

By V. J. OLSEN

PATIENCE! How much we need it. My sister, you need it all through the day, liable as you are to be disturbed and fretted by the many little cares demanded of you in the home circle. My brother, you need it, whether working on the farm, or in the shop, or office. The teacher, trying the livelong day to impart lessons of wisdom, or directing the young feet in the paths of virtue, needs it. The minister, after sowing seeds of eternal truth needs it; as the growth of the precious fruit is many times tardy, and many times the seed falls on "places stony," or barren soil. Patience enables us to suffer with calmness; but often when not really suffering, we yield that calmness and peace which should ever characterize a Christain.

How much fathers and mothers need to exercise patience toward the little ones God has given them. If parents speak harsh and impatient words to their children, the children will soon not only manifest the same harsh and impatient spirit to brothers and sisters, but to their parents also. Such a home becomes a scene of discord and confusion on which God frowns, and from which the holy angels flee. Trials and differences arise in nearly every home, but if in trial we are met with frowns, cold reserve, and harsh words, the difficulty increases, and the family is farther from the right than before. On the contrary, let gentle words and kind actions rule, and difficulties will be easily surmounted; home will be a place where all its members will love to gather, and angels will linger round the loving scene.

Many are the testimonies of the divine word to the importance of patience. Says Paul, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." James says, "My brethren, 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." A person who can, amid all the fret and worry of daily toil and care, retain a calm and unruffled spirit, who can bear with patience the little troubles of life, as well as greater ones, most nearly approaches perfection. This grace added to willing obedience brings to the possessor that peace, and confidence in God, which is of far greater value than all the treasures of the world. V. J. OLSEN.