Category: Patience

Little Ruth

Ruth Kirk

My generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is very bad. It’s been like this ever since it was thoroughly re-triggered a few months ago when a stranger criticised me online. When I was praying yesterday, this blog came into my mind and heart. It shares how I am now learning to talk to my emotionally abused and damaged inner child.

This part of me was formed by how I was spoken to, screamed at, and treated in my family of origin. My aim is become as gentle, kind, supportive, patient, and loving to my inner child as Jesus was to the children brought to him.

This kind of prayerful reflection is often called “inner child work”, and involves imagining how we can gently care for the younger, perhaps wounded, parts of ourselves.

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children …

Little Ruth, you are very small and vulnerable, but I am 73 and have had lots of experience of life. Even if you never feel any less anxious and depressed than you do at present, I will still be here all the time to take care of you. What is more, I share this task with Jesus, who looks after us both.

I am here to help you with all your physical and emotional needs by:

  • Setting boundaries and limits with other people.
  • Saying no when necessary.
  • Providing warmth, food, water, clothing, shelter, play, rest, sleep, and social contact.
  • Protecting you.
  • Reassuring you.
  • Comforting you.
  • Supporting you while you face your fears.
  • Encouraging you to explore, learn, and grow.
  • Enabling you to reach your full potential.
  • Listening to you.
  • Seeing you.
  • Knowing you.
  • Understanding you.
  • Sharing your experiences and emotions without being overwhelmed by them, so you can come to understand them safely, including anxiety, depression, fear, dread, and panic.
  • Praising you.
  • Loving you.

… I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16; NLT).

As I write to Little Ruth, perhaps you can also picture the younger, more vulnerable part of yourself – the one who learned to be anxious, afraid, or on guard, so early in life. You might like to imagine Jesus welcoming that child, just as he welcomed the children brought to him, then gently joining him in offering them warmth, safety and love.

If you wish, you could even write your own letter, promising to stay with that child in their fear, and to speak to them with the kindness and patience you may never have received.

My prayer is that as we learn to care for these small, wounded, frightened parts of ourselves with Jesus, we will discover a little more of the tenderness of God’s Kingdom, which belongs to such as these.

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble (Psalm 41:1; NIV).

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

Dread and distress

Ruth Kirk

You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life (Deuteronomy 28:66; NIV).

In the morning you shall say, “Would that it were evening!” And at evening you shall say, “Would that it were morning!” because of the dread of your heart (Deuteronomy 28:67; LSB).

Lord Jesus,

  • Let’s look after my acute dread and distress together – as if these emotions were a small child we’ve found wandering alone.
  • She’s injured, confused and weak. She’s hungry, thirsty and cold. She’s traumatised, terrified and lost.
  • Let’s do all we can to take care of her, whilst waiting patiently for her to trust us, and to let us help her.
  • Let’s offer her consistent comfort and protection; understanding, healing and love.
  • Let’s make room for her to be just as she is, listening to all she has to teach us. Then, let’s do the same for everyone we encounter in our daily shared life.

Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children” (Luke 18:16; NLT).

Patient endurance

Ruth Kirk

We are all fragile, fallible, and mortal. Today, in prayer, I saw clearly that the purpose of life is to face its inevitable challenges, sorrows, and sufferings, learning to accept and endure them as patiently as we can, while still loving and serving Jesus in others. This was Christ’s mission, and it is ours as well, for Jesus is resurrected in us all.

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).

So here is today’s prayer:

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5; NLT).

You make us,
You see us,
And hear us.

You know us,
You guide us,
And help us.

You feed us,
You love us,
And hold us.

You wound us,
You teach us,
And heal us.

Look now; I myself am he! There is no other god but me! I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the one who wounds and heals; no one can be rescued from my powerful hand! (Deuteronomy 32:39; NLT).

References

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher (Isaiah 30:20; RSV).

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5; NLT).

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised (Hebrews 10:36; NLT).

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Romans 2:4; NLT).

Questions

Ruth Kirk

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29; NLT).

Does Jesus ask too little,
Or does he ask too much?
What does he truly ask of us,
And does he ask enough?

What Jesus wants is kindness,
And gentleness, and faith;
Deep, patient love, and self-control –
And so he gives us grace.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8; NLT).

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

References

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10; NIV).

Bringing up children

Ruth Kirk

This poem came out of reflecting on the qualities we need in order to bring up children who will have the best possible chance of good mental health for the rest of their lives.

Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor (Psalm 52:2; NLT).

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT; my emphasis).

Babies need patience:
Infinite patience,
Genuine patience –
And love.

Children need kindness:
Trustworthy kindness,
Wholehearted kindness –
And love.

People need goodness:
Unreserved goodness,
Consummate goodness –
And love.

The fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; AMP).

References

Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

Reading: Psalm 74:3-8; NLT.

Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary. There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards. They swung their axes like woodcutters in a forest. With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling. They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name. Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!” So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.

Christ’s way

Ruth Kirk

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (Luke 9:23-4; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT).

Love, despite hatred;
Joy, despite pain;
Peace, despite trouble:
Christ is our way.

Patience, in anger;
Kindness, in hurt;
Goodness, in everything:
Christ is our truth.

Faithfulness, always;
Gentleness, too;
Self-control, constantly:
Christ is our life.

Even in darkness;
Even in grief;
Even in suffering:
Christ is our light.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12; NLT).

References

Love is the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:10; NLT).

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

Jesus: Son of Man

Ruth Kirk

The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8; NLT).

Son of Man,
And Son of God,
Guiding us
With staff and rod;

Son of Joy,
And Son of Love,
Living in
Our flesh and blood;

Son of Patience,
And of Peace,
Showing us
Your perfect way;

Son of Truth,
And Son of Light:
Help us, always –
Day and night.

Lord, help us! (Joel 1:19; NLT).

The LORD is my helper (Hebrews 13:6; NLT).

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26; NLT).

References

He guides me along right paths (Psalm 23:3; NLT).

Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; NLT).

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; NLT)

The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).

God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).

The heart of the gospel is love

Ruth Kirk

What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation (Galatians 6:15; NLT).

Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfils the requirements of God’s law (Romans 13:10; NLT).

Introduction
Recently my website, my writing, and my faith were viciously attacked by a man who presented himself as a Christian theologian.

Since then, I have thought a great deal about what being a Christian is all about. This has meant reflecting on what it means to follow Jesus by living according to his teaching and example. I have even launched a new website as a quiet space to share these meditations: theheartofthegospel.org.

Today’s blog brings together everything I have learned so far.

The heart of the gospel
I believe Jesus came to teach us that the heart of the gospel is love. Here is a summary of his teaching about love:

  • Despite our lack of faith, and our appalling behaviour towards others, God loves us all unfailingly (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
  • God longs to be gracious to us, but must wait for us to make our own free choice about committing to the Christian way of life (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
  • Our lives change for the better when we love God, and love others as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31; NLT).

Let’s look at this teaching in greater detail, using a parable to help us.

Jesus and the expert in religious law
One day an expert in Jewish religious law tested Jesus by asking him perhaps the most significant question ever raised: Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 10:25; NLT).

Jesus replied that the way to inherit eternal life is to: Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:29-30; NLT).

He then explained that it is equally important to: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31; NLT).

Finally, he stated: No other commandment is greater than these (Mark 12:31; NLT).

Having listened to Jesus’ answer, the religious expert felt the need to justify both himself and his own way of life, so he asked a further, absolutely crucial question: Who is my neighbour? (Luke 10:29; NLT).

Christ replied by telling him the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, a religious priest and a Temple assistant pass by without helping a fellow-citizen, who has been brutally attacked by thieves. The only person who approaches and takes care of the injured man is a Samaritan. People from Samaria were despised by Jews. At the end of the story, even the religious expert has to admit that the Samaritan, alone, was a neighbour to the stranger left half-dead by the roadside (Luke 10:30-37; NLT).

Who is my neighbour?
In the light of this parable, when we, too, ask Who is my neighbour?  it’s easy to see that our neighbours include:

  • Everyone we live near, know, speak to, or recognise in our local area
  • All those, both near and far, with whom we have any kind of contact
  • All strangers
  • All foreigners
  • People we hear about from others
  • Everyone we read about in the news, hear about on the radio, see on television, or come across online, and in social media
  • Everyone we disagree with
  • Everyone we consider to be our enemy
  • All humanity throughout the world

How does the gospel ask to relate to others?
Our task is to respond to God’s love by loving and serving God, Jesus, and their Holy Spirit in everyone: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me… Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matthew 25:40,45; NLT).

Why is love so important?
No matter what else we do in life, if we do not love God and other people our lives can have no eternal value or purpose. As St.Paul says: If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3; NLT).

What is love?
Christ’s words, behaviour, life and death show us the answer to this question, whilst St. Paul spells it out in words. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; NLT).

His conclusion is that: Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).

An impossible task?
Paul’s description of generous, self-giving love may sound like an impossible task. However, God’s Holy Sprit, who lives within us all, constantly longs to help: The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).

So all we need to do is to ask the Spirit to help us change and grow. The fruit of our developing oneness with God, Christ, and their Holy Spirit will then gradually be seen in our thoughts, words, behaviour and actions: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22; NLT). As these qualities grow within us, loving others becomes habitual, natural, genuine and spontaneous. This is a deeply joyful way of life, even amidst our own trials and sorrows.

Following Jesus
The first step on this journey of personal spiritual growth is believing that Christ has been sent by God. Remarkably, this is the only work God wants from us (John 6:29; NLT).

Wherever he went, Jesus made his message absolutely simple and direct: If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (Luke 9:23-4; NLT).

So, once we put our trust in Jesus, we follow him by loving him in others, no matter what circumstances we ourselves must face. As Christ said after washing his disciples’ feet at the Lat Supper: I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you (John 13:15; CSB).

Jesus always practiced what he preached, even praying for those who crucified him, then saving the repentant sufferer on the cross next to his (Luke 23:34,43; NLT). Indeed, Christ loved others so radically that it was his revolutionary faith in the centrality of love which ultimately cost him his life. As he himself said: There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13; NLT).

Conclusion
Jesus made it abundantly clear that it’s not what we say we believe, or what we teach others to believe that counts – it’s how we love God, and how we love others.

The heart of the gospel is that God loves us all, and that we can find complete fulfilment through loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and in loving others as ourselves, just as Christ did. By doing this, we become one with God forever. This is salvation, and there can be no better Good News than this!

References

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).

The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these (Mark 12:29-31; NLT).

There is…one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Your immortal spirit is in every one of them (Wisdom of Solomon 12:1; GNTA).

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NIV).

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).

Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).

Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).

Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).

Love cares more for others than for self (1 Corinthians 13:3-7; TM).

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:29; NLT).

Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ When you don’t do what I say? (Luke 6:46; NLT).

The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden (Matthew 23:2-4; NLT).

The only words

Ruth Kirk

I love you, LORD (Psalm 18:1; NLT).

The only words I need:
My God, I love you!

The only goal I seek:
To share your grace.

The only gift I ask for, Lord:
Your patience.

The only joy I crave:
To see your face.

I will be vindicated and will see your face (Psalm 17:15; NIV).

References

Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).

You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18; NLT).

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2; NLT).

All of you share in God’s grace (Philippians 1:7; NIV).

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? (Romans 2:4; NLT).

Spirit of Love

Ruth Kirk

A heartfelt appeal for the Fruits of the Spirit to shape our hearts and daily lives.

All of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us (Ephesians 2:18; NLT).

May your Spirit of Love
Be upon us,
Your Spirit of Joy
Live within us,
And your Spirit of Peace
Light our journey.

May your Spirit of Patience
Redeem us,
Your Spirit of Kindness
Correct us,
And your Spirit of Goodness
Transform us.

May your Spirit of Faithfulness
Teach us,
Your Spirit of Self-control
Guide us,
And your Spirit of Gentleness
Change us.

We ask this through your blessed name: Amen.

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).

References

The Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you (John 14:26; AMP).

if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you] (John 16:7; AMP).

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17; NLT

The Spirit gives life (Titus 3:5; NLT).