Christians keep trying to be PATIENCE and TOLERANT

Christians keep trying to be PATIENCE and TOLERANT

No. 4 Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23

In the book LIFESKILLS 101: Higher Core Values Winners Live by

Statistical benefits from higher-level patience.

Each section in this study series uses research, statistical conclusions, Biblical promises, and graphic information to persuade you to be a Christian or influence you to have a strong faith. For persons at the above-average levels of PATIENCE, the Christian faith generally delivers better health, greater happiness and prevents many self-generated problems. You will see this in the following pages.

THE BIBLICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE OVERLAY

THE HEBREW WORDS IN THE BIBLE, for “patience.”

Erek aph (long suffering) as a characteristic of God (Exodus 345:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15; Jeremiah 15:15)

THE GREEK WORDS IN THE BIBLE – makros plus thumos; to be of a large/long spirit

Makrothumeo - used in the context of awaiting end times. – “Be patient, stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8, KJ, Hebrews 6:12)

Makrothumeo - as in long-suffering – “The Fruit(s) of the Spirit . . . long-suffering . . .” (Galatians 5:22 KJ)

Makrothumeo - be mild, slow in avenging, slow to anger, slow to punishment (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon) I Corinthians 13:4; I Thessalonians 5:14; Matthew 23:26,29

Makrothumia - used in the context of keeping the peace in relationships as above - “Walk . . . with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2 KJ and RSV)

Hupomone (patience) - as in an ideal character trait that generates benefits – “Let patience (hupomone = perseverance, NIV) (hupomone = steadfastness, RSV) have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4 KJ)

Hupomone (patience) – as in what one does in troubling times. -- “We patiently endure suffering and hardship and troubles of every kind, afflictions, hardships calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger. . . “ (II Corinthians 6:4 LB and RSV, also Romans 5:3)

THE SOCIAL SCIENCE WORDS

From 39 published personality inventories came 342 words/traits or characteristics of personality. Here are the words from the personality tests that went together to make up the concept of high patience: tolerance, acceptance, understanding, flexibility, respect others. For the low patience side: critical punitive, judging, rigidity, dogmatism, rejecting.

PUTTING THEM TOGETHER FOR RESEARCH

Regarding optimum lifeskills, the basic ingredient of this research was that there was a close fit between Biblical understanding and social science understanding. The social sciences do not use any of the Biblical words suggested above. Yet, there is considerable similarity of ideas between the Biblical and social science understanding of optimum lifeskills. Biblical words like “forbearance” and “long-suffering” are not currently used. That takes them out of any possible joint-use list. The Bible and the social sciences agree on the need for PATIENCE to preserve relationships. Yet, they do not use the same word(s). The social sciences have been using the word “acceptance” as a word describing one skill that helps preserve relationships. The social sciences have expanded the meaning of ACCEPTANCE to include a variety of notions, like “unconditional positive regard for others” and “patience.” The social sciences tend to focus on more relational traits/behaviors. However, the Biblical understanding of “patience” tends to spend more time recommending those optimum lifeskills that include more “perseverance” and “steadfastness.”

OVERVIEW

Statistical benefits from higher PATIENCE.

PATIENCE AT MANY LEVELS

Impatience is highly self-centered.

With agape-love, like that of Jesus, patience can increase.

Job, in the Old Testament, has become famous for his patience.

Fruit(s) of the Spirit include patience..

PATIENCE IN SERVICE OF GOALS

Higher-level patience is associated with higher-level “influence.”

Anxiety reduction occurs with increased patience.

Rebelliousness decreases with increased patience.

Patience is more other-oriented.

PATIENCE FOR HEALTH BENEFITS

Medical symptoms decrease with higher patience.

Days in the hospital decrease with higher patience.

Patience is an optimum lifestyle with benefits.

Faith and belief are keys to access the benefits.

God and Jesus Christ are our providers.

Persons who profess a belief in Jesus Christ trust God’s Holy Spirit to work in their souls (psyche) and bring about elevated levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit do not always occur automatically as a result of faith. Believers know they need to learn how to translate the best beliefs into the best behaviors, in order to obtain the most optimum outcome for health, happiness and well-being.

BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO KNOW HOW WELL WE ARE FUNCTIONING IN OUR “PATIENCE”.

HIGH “PATIENCE” IS AT THE TOP, BUT IS AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM IS IMPATIENCE, INTOLERANCE, IRRITABILITY, RESTLESSNESS.

TO FIND OUT WHERE WE STAND BETWEEN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF “PATIENCE” AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF “IM-PATIENCE” EACH OF YOU IS BEING OFFERED A TEST TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE IN THAT SPECTRUM. HERE IS THAT TEST.

PART 1

YOU CAN USE THIS SET OF QUESTIONS

TO MEASURE YOUR GENERAL PATIENCE LEVEL.

Pick out the most appropriate response.

Write the number of that response in the space provided by that statement.

0=Never, 1=Rarely, 2=Occasionally, 3=Sometimes, 4=Frequently, 5=Almost always

1. I am patient with myself and with other persons.

2. I keep my temper under control.

3. I remain calm when standing in line.

4. I keep a level head when others are moody.

5. While others get mad and yell, I remain steady.

6. Others get defensive, but I speak up calmly.

7. I explain things a second time without being upset.

8. I get most of what I want through peaceful means.

9. Under criticism, I remain calm, cool, collected.

10. While others get violent, due to impatience, I talk.

_____________ TOTAL

(This is Segment No. 4 of Darrell Franken’s Christian Personality Profile built around the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. These questions are derived from 39 major published tests. Keep your scores to yourself.)

Take your TOTAL and go to the next page. Find your TOTAL raw score which is on the left side of the column.

INTERPRETATION OF RAW SCORES TO PERCENTILE SCORES

Find your raw score in the left column, and the score next to it will be your percentile score. The percentile is your score in relation to a cross section of the general population.

(Raw-%)

1=1 11=1 21=6 31=30 41=80

2=1 12=1 22=7 32=35 42=83

3=1 13=1 23=8 33=40 43=87

4=1 14=1 24=9 34=45 44=90

5=1 15=1 25=10 35=50 45=92

6=1 16=1 26=13 36=56 46=94

7=1 17=2 27=17 37=63 47=97

8=1 18=3 28=20 38=70 48=98

9=1 19=4 29=23 39=73 49=99

10=1 20=5 30=27 40=77 50=99

(Example: If your raw score is 30, then your percentile score is 27, which means that 73 out of 100 persons are more “PATIENT” than you — plus or minus about 5% points.)

As persons increase in age their raw scores and percentile scores become higher. High school students may feel their percentile scores are somewhat too low, and older persons may feel that their percentile scores are somewhat higher than is really true. It is difficult to make a test that identifies proper levels in all age groups, without it becoming too complicated for the average person. Many religiously devout persons are surprised their scores are as low as they are.

If your “PATIENCE” score was low today, or you let your “PATIENCE” slide toward “anger” tomorrow, there are statistical chances you will miss some earthly benefits. Let this information be a wake-up call, if necessary, to move you to higher levels of benefits.

REMEMBER YOUR PATIENCE PERCENTILE SCORE.

WE CAN BE SOMEWHAT PREDICTIVE WITH IT,

ABOUT YOUR FUTURE LIFE, IN SOME THINGS.

PART 2

PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT

FIND THE PLACE ON THE SOLID LINE WHERE YOUR PATIENCE SCORE IS. Look above or below it for the prediction of your average ANXIETY level in life. That ANXIETY score is a prediction which is valid about 75% to 85% of the time.

God has it right. There are benefits which derive from SPIRITUALITY. Many persons have very little belief in “benefits.” They claim that this is a selfish way. Putting this book together, I have come to understand that righteousness is the smartest way a person can life. Belief in God is intelligent. Belief in Jesus Christ is rationally correct. Belief in personal growth in the SPIRIT pays. Why shouldn’t it.

Don’t you feel sorry for all those persons who go on in life BELIEVING AN IRRATIONAL BELIEF, that having PATIENCE or not having PATIENCE really does not make a difference in life. PATIENCE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Not by itself, perhaps, but when packaged with the other 8 FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT.

DISCUSSION

How many persons sitting here are going to go home and write on the bathroom mirror with soap? – I AM GOING TO BELIEVE IN PATIENCE.

Talk about whether you can achieve more PATIENCE by prayer, or by putting that sentence on your bathroom mirror.

HIGHER FRUIT(S) DELIVER BENEFITS EVERY DAY.

PERHAPS YOU DID NOT KNOW IT. YOUR DAILY FAITH MAY BE DELIVERING MORE THAN YOU REALIZE. PERSONS ABOVE THE 70TH PERCENTILE IN PATIENCE AVERAGED 33% LESS ANXIETY.

God promises this in his own way. “Be not slothful (lazy), but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12 KJ RSV). Sometimes, a person may think mostly that the “promises” refer to a heavenly reward after we die. That is still true, but other statements from the Bible give us a picture that the benefits of faith occur here-and-now as well. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19 KJ). Anxiety reduction is one of those benefits. You may be experiencing that benefit while not even realizing it.

Faith in God may not actually reduce all difficulties in life. Many persons experience great persecution and terrible calamities. However, spiritually driven PATIENCE may lighten one’s emotional burden. You experience less stress. Remember Job. Job lived hundreds of years before Jesus. The story of his life is in the Bible. Job was a very prosperous person. The story unfolds. Satan talks with God. Satan questions whether Job’s faith in God is sound. He accuses God of prospering Job to get Job’s faith. God says, Go ahead and take away all his prosperity. Satan did. In 42 chapters we read the dialog of Job, God, Satan, and Job’s three friends. Job is known for his PATIENCE (steadfastness, RSV). After all the tragedy and after dialoging with his friends, Job once again prospers. People with Godly character traits bounce back more quickly. If you are anchored in the 9 Fruit(s) of the Spirit, you withstand tragedy better. You are more able to rise up and move forward when the pain of loss has healed. That is a here-and-now benefit of trusting in God. “Christians don’t do Piety for profit, but Christians profit from piety.”

Dr. Richard Oudersluys, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Western Theological Seminary

PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT

AUTONOMY IS THAT MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN PASSIVE DEPENDENCE AND UNLICENSED INDEPENDENCE. And who doesn’t want to be independent, autonomous, free (with responsibility)? More than half of the people in the world want AUTONOMY. Some believe that AUTONOMY is unlicensed freedom, but that is irrational.

Where are you in the continuum of PATIENCE? What was your percentile score for PATIENCE, and how does that relate to AUTONOMY? Your projected AUTONOMY level is just above or below your PATIENCE score. Your PATIENCE score prediction of AUTONOMY has only a 75% to 85% chance of being valid. Nevertheless, it might be good to set your sights higher.

DISCUSSION

Is there anyone who has arrived at a high enough level of PATIENCE to stop trying to be more patient? There are no perfect persons, but some persons do seem to have learned. Are they more spiritual because of it. Or did they become more PATIENT because they were more spiritual? Give illustrations of persons you know.

“Ye will know the truth and the truth will make you free. . . So, if the Son therefore, will make you free, you will be free.” John 8:36 RSV

But if your PATIANCE – AUTONOMY scores are low, whose problem is it? And what can be done about raising the behavior levels of PATIENCE – AUTONOMY?

GOD IS IN THE OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS BUSINESS.

SOME PERSONS LIVE LIFESKILLS BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE ABOVE. THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE STRESS AND MOST OF THE HURT IS. God offers to help us get above average in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (above). He sent his Son Jesus Christ to open the door to a better life on earth.

GOD WANTS TO HELP ELEVATE PEOPLE WHO ARE BELOW BOTTOM LINE, TO SOMEWHERE NEAR THE TOP LINE. The prime benefits described in this book accelerate (statistically speaking) when people grow spiritually to above the 66th %.

REVIEW: Research was done by Darrell Franken, Ph. D.

1500 participated in Pilot Studies.

300 more participated in a larger study.

Nine professors and counselors supplied data.

They come from 6 states and 3 international countries.

The Questionaire has 896 questions.

The study evaluates 165 variables.

Not all the variables are shown in this chapter.

The study started out by synthesizing 342 concepts from 39 published

personality inventories around the 9 Fruit(s) of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

The scientific process used in this research is similar to the research design published more than 10 million times. Those research documents (abstracts) can be found in college and university libraries. This study follows in the tradition of those disciplines, to correlate religious and scientific truth.

“At least as important as the things we wait for is the work God wants to do in us as we wait.” Ben Patterson, Hope College, Holland, MI

IS YOUR FAITH REALLY TOO SMALL?

THE GRAPH IS A PICTURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PATIENCE AND THE OTHER FRUIT(s) OF THE SPIRIT.

When one Fruit of the Spirit is higher, generally all the other Fruit(s) of the Spirit are also higher. That substantiates the proposition that there is some entity, being or force (God, nature, ideological idea, etc.) who/that makes them either all higher or all lower. Galatians 5:22-23 indicates that all the above characteristics flow from “SPIRIT.” We believe that is God’s Holy Spirit. Therefore, if God is in one’s life that person will have 9 higher key and core factors providing benefits.

This issue was touched on before, but think again. If you let God and his church bring one Fruit of the Spirit up to a higher level, the others 8 Fruit(s) of the Spirit are going to be relatively higher also. The significance is this. How are you going to be MORE PATIENT without also being more of the other 8? You can try. You may succeed for a while, but eventually your PATIENCE will average out to the same level as your LOVE, JOY, PEACE, etc. It appears from the research that a person has very little chance of pushing patience from 20% to 80% without making a more complete adjustment in all Fruit(s) of the Spirit.

Elevating the Fruit(s) of the Spirit, one at a time, is next to impossible. You are practically stuck with low PATIENCE without somehow getting all 9 of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit going up at the same time. Is there any other way to get to higher levels without faith, worship and Christian LifeSkills study fellowship?

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

BELIEVE IN GOD’S OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS.

THE GRAPH SHOWS AN INVERSE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PATIENCE AND HAVING THAT SPIRIT THAT DELIGHTS IN BREAKING RULES.

The message of the graph is that a person is more highly at risk to be headed for some delinquency without PATIENCE, the No. 4 Fruit of the Spirit. Impatient persons (lower left corner) in the lowest 10 percent level of PATIENCE (meaning they are impatience), are more than twice as rebellious as highly PATIENT persons (upper right end).

Maxine broke rules everywhere. She was a high school Junior. Maxine talked in classrooms when the teacher was talking. Maxine violated dress codes, gym rules, hallway practices, tardiness rules, absenteeism rules, etc. She thought she was having fun. She did get a lot of attention, to be sure. The problem was bigger because she also had very little inclination to follow the rules of algebra and geometry. That affected her studying and grades in her classes. Maxine delighted in a lifestyle of rule-breaking.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

Maxine delighted in a lifestyle that was very harmful to herself. There is another lifestyle that is a lot better. “Blessed (benefitted) is the person . . . who delights in the Lord” (Psalm 1:1-2 KJ). Talk about whether Maxine can be educated in this more optimum lifestyle. Who should do the teaching? What kind of information will help her change the lifestyle she currently values?

FAITH GIVES YOU ACCESS TO MANY BENEFITS.

THE GRAPH SHOWS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PATIENCE AND A NUMBER OF MORE BENEFICIAL LIFESKILLS SUCH AS: — dominance — giving — caring — ego strength — influence — fun-loving — expressiveness — leadership — self-confidence.

The top 10% of PATIENCE is associated with — 29.2% more DOMINANCE.

— 44.1% more GIVING.

— 63.4% more CARING

— 500% more EGO STRENGTH

— 482% more INFLUENTIAL

— 203% more FUN-LOVING

— 286%% more EXPRESSIVE

— 212% more LEADERSHIP

— 476% more SELF-CONFIDENT

This is a list of some of God’s awesome benefits. There are more items.

“Let PATIENCE have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and wanting nothing” (James 1:4 KJ). Godliness helps us gain the above “want” list. Higher PATIENCE, combined with 8 other higher Fruit(s) of the Spirit, can begin to deliver some of these cherished lifeskills. The key or core determinant of behavior change is the indwelling spirit of Christ. One can say s/he has “faith, or “believes in God,” but that is only a beginning. A person needs to commit to God’s optimum spiritual values that stabilize and/or empower people.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

Talk about this statement. “Superior Christian PATIENCE should be visible in the lives of people in the church.”

PATIENCE — AN OPTIMUM LIFESTYLE.

THE CHART SHOWS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HIGHER PATIENCE AND HIGHER INFLUENCE. Remember! A person needs to elevate more character traits than “patience” to become influential.

God’s Word in the Bible says something quite similar. “A fool is hot-headed and reckless . . . A quick-tempered [impatient] man does foolish things” (Proverbs 14:16-17 KJ). People who live without adequate patience also live without adequate ability to be influential.

There is no one quite so famous for having PATIENCE (KJ and LB) as Job. The New International Version uses the word “perseverance” to describe Job’s character. The Revised Standard Version translates Job’s patience into “steadfastness.” Job suffered major set backs and personal losses. Job is one of us. Who of us hasn’t experienced some financial and/or personal losses like Job? Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, wait 7 days, listening to Job ask “Why?” Then, one by one, his friends accuse Job of being too “impatient,” too “sinful” and perhaps ”guilty,” therefore, deserving the assaults of Satan. Job defends himself against any suggestion that he deserves these afflictions. Job knows that there is evil in the world. Evil happens. Evil happens to everyone. Good also happens to everyone. Job defends his innocense. Job is convinced he has strong faith in God. No one “blows Job away.” Toward the end of the biography of Job God speaks to Job. God’s recites His originality and creativity. God overwhelms Job with a speech about His origin, His rights and His justice. At which Job becomes repentant for having challenged God. “The Lord accepted Job’s prayer,” but God scolded Job’s friends.

Job knew God. Job was frustrated with God at times. Yet, Job’s soul was anchored in trust to God. Job trusted his faith in God. He was a man of PATIENCE - perseverance, and steadfastness. He was returned to a man of affluence and influence. People with high spirituality have that happen to them. Job has influenced millions.

DROP-OUT RATE REDUCED BY HIGHER PATIENCE

PERSONS AVERAGING IN THE TOP ONE-THIRD OF PATIENCE SCORES WERE MUCH LESS INCLINED TO DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

The tallest bar in the chart (left-back) represents the top average one-third of persons being evaluated. That group has a lower drop-out rate as shown in the bar In front of that. On the right is a small-low bar (right-back) that represents the average of persons in the bottom one-third of the patience scoring column. They have an elevated high-school drop-out rate as seen by the taller bar (right-front).

There are many factors that go together in causing someone to drop out of high school. For some drop-outs it is a language problem. For others it may have been a medical problem. For others the drop-out may have been forced by problem behaviors in the community. School officials are constantly trying to assess what they can do to help persons stay in school.

Bringing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to them is generally the answer or corrective measure considered by Christians. Christians know that their faith saves them from a lot of trouble and misery. That is the nature of Christianity. “(God) has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (II Peter 1:4 NIV).

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

Write down or talk about the time when you wanted to quit school, job, or marriage.

YOU INCREASE PATIENCE WITH COMMITMENT TO GOD, TO JESUS, TO FAITH, AND TO WORSHIP. YOU GET MORE PATIENCE WHEN YOU ARE PSYCHOLOGICALLY TURNED AROUND (CONVERTED) AND DECIDE TO GIVE MORE POSITIVE STROKES THAN YOU GET.

In the United States, in 1996 four out of 5 called themselves Christian, but less than half of them attend church on any given Sunday. In West Germany church membership dropped 14.5% from 1963 to 1994. In the United Kingdom (1963-1994) church membership, as a percentage of the population fell 8.7 percent. In the Netherlands 75 percent of the population were church members in 1950. By 1991 that figure had dropped to less than 50 percent. In Australia, Anglican church membership fell from 39 percent in 1947 to 23.9 percent in 1991. Are we living in an ideal society with such high values that doesn’t need God’s benefits anymore?

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

What is wrong when the statistics show such a long list of strong benefits, but the Christian church can’t seem to convince an increasing percentage of people each year?

PART 2

UPGRADING LOW-LEVEL PATIENCE

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT AND DO

TO MOVE PATIENCE TO A HIGHER LEVEL.

PERHAPS YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE REMINDED, BUT MORE RESEARCH EVIDENCE IS SHOWING THAT PERSONALITY REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE AT THE CORE OF ONE’S BELIEFS, IN ONE’S SOUL (PSYCHE).

Large numbers of personality scientists are demonstrating that belief-change must precede behavior-change. Temporary new behaviors may only revert back to previous behaviors without a belief change. God has been offering to make personality changes in one’s belief system too. He has been at it for several thousand years. Perhaps people will believe in God’s belief-change program if they understand that it has practical and permanent results.

In the next pages we will look at Job, the Biblical figure.

1. JOB, LIVING 4000+ YEARS AGO, WAS RIGHTEOUS AND PATIENT.

2. JOB WAS PATIENT WITH HIS THREE FRIENDS AND WITH HIS SUFFERING

3. JOB KEPT HIS MIND ON GOD IN HIS TROUBLES.

4. JOB LIVED ABOVE THE ROTTENNESS IN THIS WORLD.

5. JOB PRACTICED AND BENEFITTED FROM PATIENCE AND FORGIVENESS.

6. JOB PRACTICED DIVINE FORGIVENESS, EVEN TO GOD.

7. LET YOURSELF LEARN FROM JOB. BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF TOO.

8. PRAYER, SELF-TALK, WORSHIP, ETC, ENHANCE PATIENCE.

1. JOB WAS A VERY PATIENT PERSON

JOB, PICTURED WITH HIS FLOCKS AND HERDS BECAME FAMOUS FOR HIS PATIENCE. PATIENCE COMES WITH FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD.

Job’s story is in the Old Testament of the Bible. You can easily find Job’s story by opening a Bible to the near-exact middle of the Bible. Job lived hundreds of years before Jesus. He owned 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He was a righteous person whom God blessed. In the story of Job’s life Satan and God talk. Satan is sure that if God would not bless Job so much, he would abandon and curse God. God permitted a test. Satan allowed bandits to take Job’s herds and natural forces to destroy his family. Then God allowed Satan to afflict Job with sores. Job remained faithful. His original family was not restored. Job’s perseverant and steadfast patience was part of a total set of traits/behaviors. God blessed those traits and Job’s wealth was restored.

What is the connection between a person’s financial condition and a person’s spiritual condition? The story of Job supports a strong connection, but wealth does not come to all righteous persons. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). “He who is hasty [impatient] to be rich has an evil eye” (Proverbs 28:22). When the statistics of the research indicate that higher-level PATIENCE is associated with half as much “financial stress symptoms,” we know that average higher PATIENCE has average higher positive consequences. For Job higher PATIENCE was eventually associated with higher prosperity.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

Job becomes a model in our minds and that model needs to influence our behavior. How much distance is there, or how big a gap is there between what most Christians believe about steadfast and persevering PATIENCE, and how PATIENT they actually are?

2. JOB WAS PATIENT WITH HIS THREE FRIENDS

AND WITH HIS SUFFERING.

JOB’S ABILITY TO BE PATIENT WITH HIS FRIENDS AND GOD CAME FROM A DEEPER CONVICTION.

Job anchored his value system to God, and His way of acting, which is righteous. That gave him strength when his friends gave unhelpful advice. Job was a godly person. He had lost a great amount of his property and family. He was afflicted with sores on his skin. Anyone in that situation would be highly depressed. It is great that his friends tried to comfort him, but they did not have Job’s wisdom.

Peer pressure and peer advice is hazardous to our health and success. We need to consult the highest authority possible. We need to take our biggest problems to the people who know how to solve them or fix them correctly.

When I was younger and poorer I usually found the cheapest mechanic to fix my automobile. As time went by and automobiles became more complex I began to change my attitude. I now go to the highest authority in my brand of automobiles for my repairs. I know from experience that this business is not perfect. I pay more for the service than I might pay if I went to another mechanic. But now I am more willing and able to pay for the expertise. God wants us to see Him as the highest authority in the personality building and repair business. He deserves it. He has had a lot of satisfied customers.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

What makes people not keep looking higher and higher for better and better solutions to their concerns?

3. JOB KEPT HIS MIND ON GOD IN HIS TROUBLES.

WHEN A PERSON IS CONNECTED TO GOD, HIS HEART AND SOUL HELP HIM TO GROW AND MATURE IN THE DIRECTION OF BECOMING GODLY.

Many persons who haven’t fixed their thoughts on God, get fixated at a lower level of human existence. The Fruit(s) of the Spirit are singular words: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). What we forget is that there are levels of love, levels of joy, levels of peace, etc. We are not required to stay at a low-level Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Spirituality presumes growth. Job had his mind on God. Job teaches us that there was no end to the growth of his Fruit(s) of the Spirit and the benefits he derived from higher-level spirituality. --- There is a concept of salvation floating around that does not consider “levels” of spirituality. Once you are “ born again” you’re there. You have the Fruit(s). You have love, joy, peace, patience, etc. Of course you can grow, but it is secondary to the initial conversion experience. For others the initial conversion experience is just the beginning. Growth and benefits from spiritual growth are possible. We have a long way to go. We grow to become like God and his son Jesus Christ. The research says that persons who adopt this later attitude can grow to higher levels that deliver higher benefits, even for the present life. And when life is over we get the big blessing, eternal life.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

Your author has moved many times in life. Starting early as a clergyman’s son, and later moving because of new opportunities, moving became opportunities to move away from peer pressures and old ideas. Spiritual growth became easier after moving. Would a move help you get out of your rut?

4. JOB LIVED ABOVE THE ROTTENNESS

THAT IS IN THIS WORLD.

God’s truth and the truth from personality research collaborate in motivating you to move up the ladder of spirituality. Salvation is really a process of being “saved from the lust and rottenness all around us” (II Peter 1:4 LB). “God has qualified you (followers of Christ) to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12 LB). The inheritance is not only for the dead who are in heaven, but also for those who are alive on earth, like the Corinthian “saints” who were still not very sanctified. Job trusted in God and was not going to abandon his belief. He persevered. He had steadfastness (patience), that kind of steadfastness that comes from one’s connection with God.

Jesus came along a couple thousand years later than Job. Jesus came into the world to help people break from the “rottenness all around us.” Jesus came to show us a way out of the pit of our previous existence. Jesus made it easier to have faith in God, and use that faith to move up and away from animal-like existence.

You are reminded again that there are “blessings” (benefits) to being a “ saint.” God does not shield us from pain, sorrow or suffering. The forces of nature create catastrophes. The sinfulness and weakness of people create painful and sorrowful accidents. Job had his share. When the troubles of Job ceased his optimum lifestyle traits/behaviors, an outcome of his faith, were sufficiently correct to enable him to regain his wealth. Job is a model for us to follow.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

If you are a Doubting Thomas, a teenager, or someone who can’t see any sense in being a Christian, is this information helpful for you to become a believer?

5. LET YOURSELF LEARN FROM JOB THAT

YOU NEED TO BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF TOO.

THIS IS A PICTURE OF JOB IF HE DID NOT HAVE PATIENCE. JOB LEARNED TO BE PATIENT AND FORGIVING. HE SUFFERED FROM HUMAN AND NATURAL DISASTER BUT SURVIVED AND BECAME BLESSED MORE ABUNDANTLY.

We need faith, PATIENCE and forgiveness to survive the stresses of this world. When we have enough faith, PATIENCE and forgiveness we are blessed and benefitted.

The bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma was a man-made disaster. It killed 168 people and hurt 500 more. Tornados, earthquakes and hurricanes are natural disasters that bring death and destruction. Auto accidents, construction accidents, and illnesses add to the pain of human existence. Employment loss and financial loss can occur to almost anyone.

Job was not happy about all the tragedy he suffered. However, he held on to his faith in God. After the miserable times, “The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10 RSV). That exact result will probably not occur automatically after tragedy. Neither God, nor the statistics indicate that there is a tragedy-to-prosperity link. However, faith in God, via belief and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ appears to be statistically connected to “blessings” or benefits, for now and for eternity. People who worship aren’t in it primarily for the material blessings. They are into faith and godliness to glorify God and “make the rough places plain” (Isaiah).

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

The Biblical record says that “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Do you interpret this to mean that God gave him a present, and/or that Job’s “godliness” lifeskills enabled him to recoup his losses?

6. PRAYER, SELF-TALK, WORSHIP, ETC,

TO REDUCE SELFISHNESS

“Learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his own way with you.”

(II Peter 1:6)

JOB DID A LOT OF TALKING. HE TALKED WITH GOD. HE TALKED WITH HIS FRIENDS. HE TALKED WITH HIS INNER SELF. MOST OF THE TALKING WAS DONE TO CALM HIS TROUBLED HEART AND KEEP IT FROM ACTING IRRATIONALLY.

The personality sciences recommend the skill of “self-talk.” Self-talk has no precise definition. Self-talk is something you do to maintain self-control. One way self-talk is used is this; self-talk is simply having your rational MIND tell your emotional PSYCHE (heart, soul) to weather the storm, and come out alive. Self-talk is a somewhat repetitious recounting of the facts, beliefs and hopes that keep people from doing something immoral, unethical or crazy. --- Self-talk could be mixed with praying. In prayer a person seeks God. The praying person is asking for help to think correctly and behave correctly throughout the time of trouble. Self-talk and prayer both seek to keep the BODY, MIND and SPIRIT functioning at their most optimum level.

Persons who have no interest in God, spirituality, worship or righteousness can suffer everything Job suffered, but without any hope or promise of bouncing back like Job did. The statistics show that converted persons with higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit have more PATIENCE, like Job, and bounce back. Higher one-third level PATIENCE scorers average 12% higher coping strengths than lower one-third level scorers. Job had that to his advantage.

DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS?

When the lowest 10% of PATIENCE scorers is compared with the highest 10% of PATIENCE scorers, those with the higher levels average 56% less illness incidents (covering 77 medical categories). In light of this how much prayer and self-talk does the average person need to do to get the 56% illness reduction?

GETTING ONE’S ACT TOGETHER

THE FIGURE PICTURES CONVERSION OF THE HEART TO BE THOUGHTFUL OF OTHERS. ANGERS NEED TO BE DUMPED. GOD SUGGESTS FULL-COMMITMENT FOR FULL BENEFITS.

Conversion must change the selfishness to caring for others. There is not a lot of sense to be a mediocre Christian. Of course, even being a weak-hearted Christian brings eternal life, but few benefits in this life.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NIV)

Recall this promise again. “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29 RSV). When God makes a “promise,” that promise is just the same as God simply stating a fact, which research has been able to authenticate.

MY COMMITMENT TO INCREASING MY PATIENCE

EXAMPLES

1. I am more impatient than I should be with ________, _______, _______, and ______, so I feel guilty a lot.

2. I am undercutting my own benefits from my faith by being impatient, so I must take some personal responsibility. I will do the following to increase my patience. ______________, ______________, ______________.

3. God’s Children of Israel wore arm bands with the 10 commandments written on them, to remind themselves about God’s expectations for them. I will fashion some reminder to remind myself to be PATIENT. Here is my idea. _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______.

4. I will read the Biblical record of JOB in the Old Testament to learn how PATIENT Job was and what his rewards were. _______, (Check this.)

5. Perhaps I need to write a PATIENCE in big letters on my bathroom mirror to keep reminding myself. _______ (Check this.)

6. Perhaps there is another problem. Maybe I don’t have enough of Fruit of the Spirit No. 9 “Self-control, or of any of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit.” Perhaps I am not “born-again” by the Spirit of God, because the Devil really hates to let go.

7. I will go back and look at the graphs and Promises of God in all the preceding lessons until I am convinced to the core of my being, the depths of my soul. _____________ (Check this.)

LIFESKILLS TRAINING CENTER \| Home \| Ch.1. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF \| Christians believe in JOY and CHEERFULNESS \| Christians keep trying to be peaceful - Ch 3 in Lifeskills \| Christians keep trying to be PATIENCE and TOLERANT \| Random acts of kindness \| Christians believe in the generosity virtue \| Christians seek to be trusted persons \| Gentleness is a universal value \| Self control is a universal virtue
Click on arrows to read and print out chapters.	Christians keep trying to be PATIENCE and TOLERANT No. 4 Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 In the book LIFESKILLS 101: Higher Core Values Winners Live by Statistical benefits from higher-level patience. Each section in this study series uses research, statistical conclusions, Biblical promises, and graphic information to persuade you to be a Christian or influence you to have a strong faith. For persons at the above-average levels of PATIENCE, the Christian faith generally delivers better health, greater happiness and prevents many self-generated problems. You will see this in the following pages. THE BIBLICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE OVERLAY THE HEBREW WORDS IN THE BIBLE, for “patience.” Erek aph (long suffering) as a characteristic of God (Exodus 345:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15; Jeremiah 15:15) THE GREEK WORDS IN THE BIBLE – makros plus thumos; to be of a large/long spirit Makrothumeo - used in the context of awaiting end times. – “Be patient, stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8, KJ, Hebrews 6:12) Makrothumeo - as in long-suffering – “The Fruit(s) of the Spirit . . . long-suffering . . .” (Galatians 5:22 KJ) Makrothumeo - be mild, slow in avenging, slow to anger, slow to punishment (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon) I Corinthians 13:4; I Thessalonians 5:14; Matthew 23:26,29 Makrothumia - used in the context of keeping the peace in relationships as above - “Walk . . . with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2 KJ and RSV) Hupomone (patience) - as in an ideal character trait that generates benefits – “Let patience (hupomone = perseverance, NIV) (hupomone = steadfastness, RSV) have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4 KJ) Hupomone (patience) – as in what one does in troubling times. -- “We patiently endure suffering and hardship and troubles of every kind, afflictions, hardships calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger. . . “ (II Corinthians 6:4 LB and RSV, also Romans 5:3) THE SOCIAL SCIENCE WORDS From 39 published personality inventories came 342 words/traits or characteristics of personality. Here are the words from the personality tests that went together to make up the concept of high patience: tolerance, acceptance, understanding, flexibility, respect others. For the low patience side: critical punitive, judging, rigidity, dogmatism, rejecting. PUTTING THEM TOGETHER FOR RESEARCH Regarding optimum lifeskills, the basic ingredient of this research was that there was a close fit between Biblical understanding and social science understanding. The social sciences do not use any of the Biblical words suggested above. Yet, there is considerable similarity of ideas between the Biblical and social science understanding of optimum lifeskills. Biblical words like “forbearance” and “long-suffering” are not currently used. That takes them out of any possible joint-use list. The Bible and the social sciences agree on the need for PATIENCE to preserve relationships. Yet, they do not use the same word(s). The social sciences have been using the word “acceptance” as a word describing one skill that helps preserve relationships. The social sciences have expanded the meaning of ACCEPTANCE to include a variety of notions, like “unconditional positive regard for others” and “patience.” The social sciences tend to focus on more relational traits/behaviors. However, the Biblical understanding of “patience” tends to spend more time recommending those optimum lifeskills that include more “perseverance” and “steadfastness.” OVERVIEW Statistical benefits from higher PATIENCE. PATIENCE AT MANY LEVELS Impatience is highly self-centered. With agape-love, like that of Jesus, patience can increase. Job, in the Old Testament, has become famous for his patience. Fruit(s) of the Spirit include patience.. PATIENCE IN SERVICE OF GOALS Higher-level patience is associated with higher-level “influence.” Anxiety reduction occurs with increased patience. Rebelliousness decreases with increased patience. Patience is more other-oriented. PATIENCE FOR HEALTH BENEFITS Medical symptoms decrease with higher patience. Days in the hospital decrease with higher patience. Patience is an optimum lifestyle with benefits. Faith and belief are keys to access the benefits. God and Jesus Christ are our providers. Persons who profess a belief in Jesus Christ trust God’s Holy Spirit to work in their souls (psyche) and bring about elevated levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit do not always occur automatically as a result of faith. Believers know they need to learn how to translate the best beliefs into the best behaviors, in order to obtain the most optimum outcome for health, happiness and well-being. BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO KNOW HOW WELL WE ARE FUNCTIONING IN OUR “PATIENCE”. HIGH “PATIENCE” IS AT THE TOP, BUT IS AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM IS IMPATIENCE, INTOLERANCE, IRRITABILITY, RESTLESSNESS. TO FIND OUT WHERE WE STAND BETWEEN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF “PATIENCE” AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF “IM-PATIENCE” EACH OF YOU IS BEING OFFERED A TEST TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE IN THAT SPECTRUM. HERE IS THAT TEST. PART 1 YOU CAN USE THIS SET OF QUESTIONS TO MEASURE YOUR GENERAL PATIENCE LEVEL. Pick out the most appropriate response. Write the number of that response in the space provided by that statement. 0=Never, 1=Rarely, 2=Occasionally, 3=Sometimes, 4=Frequently, 5=Almost always 1. I am patient with myself and with other persons. 2. I keep my temper under control. 3. I remain calm when standing in line. 4. I keep a level head when others are moody. 5. While others get mad and yell, I remain steady. 6. Others get defensive, but I speak up calmly. 7. I explain things a second time without being upset. 8. I get most of what I want through peaceful means. 9. Under criticism, I remain calm, cool, collected. 10. While others get violent, due to impatience, I talk. _____________ TOTAL (This is Segment No. 4 of Darrell Franken’s Christian Personality Profile built around the Fruit(s) of the Spirit. These questions are derived from 39 major published tests. Keep your scores to yourself.) Take your TOTAL and go to the next page. Find your TOTAL raw score which is on the left side of the column. INTERPRETATION OF RAW SCORES TO PERCENTILE SCORES Find your raw score in the left column, and the score next to it will be your percentile score. The percentile is your score in relation to a cross section of the general population. (Raw-%) 1=1 11=1 21=6 31=30 41=80 2=1 12=1 22=7 32=35 42=83 3=1 13=1 23=8 33=40 43=87 4=1 14=1 24=9 34=45 44=90 5=1 15=1 25=10 35=50 45=92 6=1 16=1 26=13 36=56 46=94 7=1 17=2 27=17 37=63 47=97 8=1 18=3 28=20 38=70 48=98 9=1 19=4 29=23 39=73 49=99 10=1 20=5 30=27 40=77 50=99 (Example: If your raw score is 30, then your percentile score is 27, which means that 73 out of 100 persons are more “PATIENT” than you — plus or minus about 5% points.) As persons increase in age their raw scores and percentile scores become higher. High school students may feel their percentile scores are somewhat too low, and older persons may feel that their percentile scores are somewhat higher than is really true. It is difficult to make a test that identifies proper levels in all age groups, without it becoming too complicated for the average person. Many religiously devout persons are surprised their scores are as low as they are. If your “PATIENCE” score was low today, or you let your “PATIENCE” slide toward “anger” tomorrow, there are statistical chances you will miss some earthly benefits. Let this information be a wake-up call, if necessary, to move you to higher levels of benefits. REMEMBER YOUR PATIENCE PERCENTILE SCORE. WE CAN BE SOMEWHAT PREDICTIVE WITH IT, ABOUT YOUR FUTURE LIFE, IN SOME THINGS. PART 2 PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT FIND THE PLACE ON THE SOLID LINE WHERE YOUR PATIENCE SCORE IS. Look above or below it for the prediction of your average ANXIETY level in life. That ANXIETY score is a prediction which is valid about 75% to 85% of the time. God has it right. There are benefits which derive from SPIRITUALITY. Many persons have very little belief in “benefits.” They claim that this is a selfish way. Putting this book together, I have come to understand that righteousness is the smartest way a person can life. Belief in God is intelligent. Belief in Jesus Christ is rationally correct. Belief in personal growth in the SPIRIT pays. Why shouldn’t it. Don’t you feel sorry for all those persons who go on in life BELIEVING AN IRRATIONAL BELIEF, that having PATIENCE or not having PATIENCE really does not make a difference in life. PATIENCE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Not by itself, perhaps, but when packaged with the other 8 FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT. DISCUSSION How many persons sitting here are going to go home and write on the bathroom mirror with soap? – I AM GOING TO BELIEVE IN PATIENCE. Talk about whether you can achieve more PATIENCE by prayer, or by putting that sentence on your bathroom mirror. HIGHER FRUIT(S) DELIVER BENEFITS EVERY DAY. PERHAPS YOU DID NOT KNOW IT. YOUR DAILY FAITH MAY BE DELIVERING MORE THAN YOU REALIZE. PERSONS ABOVE THE 70TH PERCENTILE IN PATIENCE AVERAGED 33% LESS ANXIETY. God promises this in his own way. “Be not slothful (lazy), but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12 KJ RSV). Sometimes, a person may think mostly that the “promises” refer to a heavenly reward after we die. That is still true, but other statements from the Bible give us a picture that the benefits of faith occur here-and-now as well. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19 KJ). Anxiety reduction is one of those benefits. You may be experiencing that benefit while not even realizing it. Faith in God may not actually reduce all difficulties in life. Many persons experience great persecution and terrible calamities. However, spiritually driven PATIENCE may lighten one’s emotional burden. You experience less stress. Remember Job. Job lived hundreds of years before Jesus. The story of his life is in the Bible. Job was a very prosperous person. The story unfolds. Satan talks with God. Satan questions whether Job’s faith in God is sound. He accuses God of prospering Job to get Job’s faith. God says, Go ahead and take away all his prosperity. Satan did. In 42 chapters we read the dialog of Job, God, Satan, and Job’s three friends. Job is known for his PATIENCE (steadfastness, RSV). After all the tragedy and after dialoging with his friends, Job once again prospers. People with Godly character traits bounce back more quickly. If you are anchored in the 9 Fruit(s) of the Spirit, you withstand tragedy better. You are more able to rise up and move forward when the pain of loss has healed. That is a here-and-now benefit of trusting in God. “Christians don’t do Piety for profit, but Christians profit from piety.” Dr. Richard Oudersluys, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Western Theological Seminary PREDICTABILITY OF THE FRUIT(S) OF THE SPIRIT AUTONOMY IS THAT MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN PASSIVE DEPENDENCE AND UNLICENSED INDEPENDENCE. And who doesn’t want to be independent, autonomous, free (with responsibility)? More than half of the people in the world want AUTONOMY. Some believe that AUTONOMY is unlicensed freedom, but that is irrational. Where are you in the continuum of PATIENCE? What was your percentile score for PATIENCE, and how does that relate to AUTONOMY? Your projected AUTONOMY level is just above or below your PATIENCE score. Your PATIENCE score prediction of AUTONOMY has only a 75% to 85% chance of being valid. Nevertheless, it might be good to set your sights higher. DISCUSSION Is there anyone who has arrived at a high enough level of PATIENCE to stop trying to be more patient? There are no perfect persons, but some persons do seem to have learned. Are they more spiritual because of it. Or did they become more PATIENT because they were more spiritual? Give illustrations of persons you know. “Ye will know the truth and the truth will make you free. . . So, if the Son therefore, will make you free, you will be free.” John 8:36 RSV But if your PATIANCE – AUTONOMY scores are low, whose problem is it? And what can be done about raising the behavior levels of PATIENCE – AUTONOMY? GOD IS IN THE OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS BUSINESS. SOME PERSONS LIVE LIFESKILLS BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE ABOVE. THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE STRESS AND MOST OF THE HURT IS. God offers to help us get above average in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (above). He sent his Son Jesus Christ to open the door to a better life on earth. GOD WANTS TO HELP ELEVATE PEOPLE WHO ARE BELOW BOTTOM LINE, TO SOMEWHERE NEAR THE TOP LINE. The prime benefits described in this book accelerate (statistically speaking) when people grow spiritually to above the 66th %. REVIEW: Research was done by Darrell Franken, Ph. D. 1500 participated in Pilot Studies. 300 more participated in a larger study. Nine professors and counselors supplied data. They come from 6 states and 3 international countries. The Questionaire has 896 questions. The study evaluates 165 variables. Not all the variables are shown in this chapter. The study started out by synthesizing 342 concepts from 39 published personality inventories around the 9 Fruit(s) of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. The scientific process used in this research is similar to the research design published more than 10 million times. Those research documents (abstracts) can be found in college and university libraries. This study follows in the tradition of those disciplines, to correlate religious and scientific truth. “At least as important as the things we wait for is the work God wants to do in us as we wait.” Ben Patterson, Hope College, Holland, MI IS YOUR FAITH REALLY TOO SMALL? THE GRAPH IS A PICTURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PATIENCE AND THE OTHER FRUIT(s) OF THE SPIRIT. When one Fruit of the Spirit is higher, generally all the other Fruit(s) of the Spirit are also higher. That substantiates the proposition that there is some entity, being or force (God, nature, ideological idea, etc.) who/that makes them either all higher or all lower. Galatians 5:22-23 indicates that all the above characteristics flow from “SPIRIT.” We believe that is God’s Holy Spirit. Therefore, if God is in one’s life that person will have 9 higher key and core factors providing benefits. This issue was touched on before, but think again. If you let God and his church bring one Fruit of the Spirit up to a higher level, the others 8 Fruit(s) of the Spirit are going to be relatively higher also. The significance is this. How are you going to be MORE PATIENT without also being more of the other 8? You can try. You may succeed for a while, but eventually your PATIENCE will average out to the same level as your LOVE, JOY, PEACE, etc. It appears from the research that a person has very little chance of pushing patience from 20% to 80% without making a more complete adjustment in all Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Elevating the Fruit(s) of the Spirit, one at a time, is next to impossible. You are practically stuck with low PATIENCE without somehow getting all 9 of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit going up at the same time. Is there any other way to get to higher levels without faith, worship and Christian LifeSkills study fellowship? DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? BELIEVE IN GOD’S OPTIMUM LIFESKILLS. THE GRAPH SHOWS AN INVERSE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PATIENCE AND HAVING THAT SPIRIT THAT DELIGHTS IN BREAKING RULES. The message of the graph is that a person is more highly at risk to be headed for some delinquency without PATIENCE, the No. 4 Fruit of the Spirit. Impatient persons (lower left corner) in the lowest 10 percent level of PATIENCE (meaning they are impatience), are more than twice as rebellious as highly PATIENT persons (upper right end). Maxine broke rules everywhere. She was a high school Junior. Maxine talked in classrooms when the teacher was talking. Maxine violated dress codes, gym rules, hallway practices, tardiness rules, absenteeism rules, etc. She thought she was having fun. She did get a lot of attention, to be sure. The problem was bigger because she also had very little inclination to follow the rules of algebra and geometry. That affected her studying and grades in her classes. Maxine delighted in a lifestyle of rule-breaking. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? Maxine delighted in a lifestyle that was very harmful to herself. There is another lifestyle that is a lot better. “Blessed (benefitted) is the person . . . who delights in the Lord” (Psalm 1:1-2 KJ). Talk about whether Maxine can be educated in this more optimum lifestyle. Who should do the teaching? What kind of information will help her change the lifestyle she currently values? FAITH GIVES YOU ACCESS TO MANY BENEFITS. THE GRAPH SHOWS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PATIENCE AND A NUMBER OF MORE BENEFICIAL LIFESKILLS SUCH AS: — dominance — giving — caring — ego strength — influence — fun-loving — expressiveness — leadership — self-confidence. The top 10% of PATIENCE is associated with — 29.2% more DOMINANCE. — 44.1% more GIVING. — 63.4% more CARING — 500% more EGO STRENGTH — 482% more INFLUENTIAL — 203% more FUN-LOVING — 286%% more EXPRESSIVE — 212% more LEADERSHIP — 476% more SELF-CONFIDENT This is a list of some of God’s awesome benefits. There are more items. “Let PATIENCE have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and wanting nothing” (James 1:4 KJ). Godliness helps us gain the above “want” list. Higher PATIENCE, combined with 8 other higher Fruit(s) of the Spirit, can begin to deliver some of these cherished lifeskills. The key or core determinant of behavior change is the indwelling spirit of Christ. One can say s/he has “faith, or “believes in God,” but that is only a beginning. A person needs to commit to God’s optimum spiritual values that stabilize and/or empower people. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? Talk about this statement. “Superior Christian PATIENCE should be visible in the lives of people in the church.” PATIENCE — AN OPTIMUM LIFESTYLE. THE CHART SHOWS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HIGHER PATIENCE AND HIGHER INFLUENCE. Remember! A person needs to elevate more character traits than “patience” to become influential. God’s Word in the Bible says something quite similar. “A fool is hot-headed and reckless . . . A quick-tempered [impatient] man does foolish things” (Proverbs 14:16-17 KJ). People who live without adequate patience also live without adequate ability to be influential. There is no one quite so famous for having PATIENCE (KJ and LB) as Job. The New International Version uses the word “perseverance” to describe Job’s character. The Revised Standard Version translates Job’s patience into “steadfastness.” Job suffered major set backs and personal losses. Job is one of us. Who of us hasn’t experienced some financial and/or personal losses like Job? Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, wait 7 days, listening to Job ask “Why?” Then, one by one, his friends accuse Job of being too “impatient,” too “sinful” and perhaps ”guilty,” therefore, deserving the assaults of Satan. Job defends himself against any suggestion that he deserves these afflictions. Job knows that there is evil in the world. Evil happens. Evil happens to everyone. Good also happens to everyone. Job defends his innocense. Job is convinced he has strong faith in God. No one “blows Job away.” Toward the end of the biography of Job God speaks to Job. God’s recites His originality and creativity. God overwhelms Job with a speech about His origin, His rights and His justice. At which Job becomes repentant for having challenged God. “The Lord accepted Job’s prayer,” but God scolded Job’s friends. Job knew God. Job was frustrated with God at times. Yet, Job’s soul was anchored in trust to God. Job trusted his faith in God. He was a man of PATIENCE - perseverance, and steadfastness. He was returned to a man of affluence and influence. People with high spirituality have that happen to them. Job has influenced millions. DROP-OUT RATE REDUCED BY HIGHER PATIENCE PERSONS AVERAGING IN THE TOP ONE-THIRD OF PATIENCE SCORES WERE MUCH LESS INCLINED TO DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. The tallest bar in the chart (left-back) represents the top average one-third of persons being evaluated. That group has a lower drop-out rate as shown in the bar In front of that. On the right is a small-low bar (right-back) that represents the average of persons in the bottom one-third of the patience scoring column. They have an elevated high-school drop-out rate as seen by the taller bar (right-front). There are many factors that go together in causing someone to drop out of high school. For some drop-outs it is a language problem. For others it may have been a medical problem. For others the drop-out may have been forced by problem behaviors in the community. School officials are constantly trying to assess what they can do to help persons stay in school. Bringing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to them is generally the answer or corrective measure considered by Christians. Christians know that their faith saves them from a lot of trouble and misery. That is the nature of Christianity. “(God) has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (II Peter 1:4 NIV). DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? Write down or talk about the time when you wanted to quit school, job, or marriage. YOU INCREASE PATIENCE WITH COMMITMENT TO GOD, TO JESUS, TO FAITH, AND TO WORSHIP. YOU GET MORE PATIENCE WHEN YOU ARE PSYCHOLOGICALLY TURNED AROUND (CONVERTED) AND DECIDE TO GIVE MORE POSITIVE STROKES THAN YOU GET. In the United States, in 1996 four out of 5 called themselves Christian, but less than half of them attend church on any given Sunday. In West Germany church membership dropped 14.5% from 1963 to 1994. In the United Kingdom (1963-1994) church membership, as a percentage of the population fell 8.7 percent. In the Netherlands 75 percent of the population were church members in 1950. By 1991 that figure had dropped to less than 50 percent. In Australia, Anglican church membership fell from 39 percent in 1947 to 23.9 percent in 1991. Are we living in an ideal society with such high values that doesn’t need God’s benefits anymore? DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? What is wrong when the statistics show such a long list of strong benefits, but the Christian church can’t seem to convince an increasing percentage of people each year? PART 2 UPGRADING LOW-LEVEL PATIENCE WHAT TO THINK ABOUT AND DO TO MOVE PATIENCE TO A HIGHER LEVEL. PERHAPS YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE REMINDED, BUT MORE RESEARCH EVIDENCE IS SHOWING THAT PERSONALITY REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE AT THE CORE OF ONE’S BELIEFS, IN ONE’S SOUL (PSYCHE). Large numbers of personality scientists are demonstrating that belief-change must precede behavior-change. Temporary new behaviors may only revert back to previous behaviors without a belief change. God has been offering to make personality changes in one’s belief system too. He has been at it for several thousand years. Perhaps people will believe in God’s belief-change program if they understand that it has practical and permanent results. In the next pages we will look at Job, the Biblical figure. 1. JOB, LIVING 4000+ YEARS AGO, WAS RIGHTEOUS AND PATIENT. 2. JOB WAS PATIENT WITH HIS THREE FRIENDS AND WITH HIS SUFFERING 3. JOB KEPT HIS MIND ON GOD IN HIS TROUBLES. 4. JOB LIVED ABOVE THE ROTTENNESS IN THIS WORLD. 5. JOB PRACTICED AND BENEFITTED FROM PATIENCE AND FORGIVENESS. 6. JOB PRACTICED DIVINE FORGIVENESS, EVEN TO GOD. 7. LET YOURSELF LEARN FROM JOB. BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF TOO. 8. PRAYER, SELF-TALK, WORSHIP, ETC, ENHANCE PATIENCE. 1. JOB WAS A VERY PATIENT PERSON JOB, PICTURED WITH HIS FLOCKS AND HERDS BECAME FAMOUS FOR HIS PATIENCE. PATIENCE COMES WITH FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD. Job’s story is in the Old Testament of the Bible. You can easily find Job’s story by opening a Bible to the near-exact middle of the Bible. Job lived hundreds of years before Jesus. He owned 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He was a righteous person whom God blessed. In the story of Job’s life Satan and God talk. Satan is sure that if God would not bless Job so much, he would abandon and curse God. God permitted a test. Satan allowed bandits to take Job’s herds and natural forces to destroy his family. Then God allowed Satan to afflict Job with sores. Job remained faithful. His original family was not restored. Job’s perseverant and steadfast patience was part of a total set of traits/behaviors. God blessed those traits and Job’s wealth was restored. What is the connection between a person’s financial condition and a person’s spiritual condition? The story of Job supports a strong connection, but wealth does not come to all righteous persons. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). “He who is hasty [impatient] to be rich has an evil eye” (Proverbs 28:22). When the statistics of the research indicate that higher-level PATIENCE is associated with half as much “financial stress symptoms,” we know that average higher PATIENCE has average higher positive consequences. For Job higher PATIENCE was eventually associated with higher prosperity. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? Job becomes a model in our minds and that model needs to influence our behavior. How much distance is there, or how big a gap is there between what most Christians believe about steadfast and persevering PATIENCE, and how PATIENT they actually are? 2. JOB WAS PATIENT WITH HIS THREE FRIENDS AND WITH HIS SUFFERING. JOB’S ABILITY TO BE PATIENT WITH HIS FRIENDS AND GOD CAME FROM A DEEPER CONVICTION. Job anchored his value system to God, and His way of acting, which is righteous. That gave him strength when his friends gave unhelpful advice. Job was a godly person. He had lost a great amount of his property and family. He was afflicted with sores on his skin. Anyone in that situation would be highly depressed. It is great that his friends tried to comfort him, but they did not have Job’s wisdom. Peer pressure and peer advice is hazardous to our health and success. We need to consult the highest authority possible. We need to take our biggest problems to the people who know how to solve them or fix them correctly. When I was younger and poorer I usually found the cheapest mechanic to fix my automobile. As time went by and automobiles became more complex I began to change my attitude. I now go to the highest authority in my brand of automobiles for my repairs. I know from experience that this business is not perfect. I pay more for the service than I might pay if I went to another mechanic. But now I am more willing and able to pay for the expertise. God wants us to see Him as the highest authority in the personality building and repair business. He deserves it. He has had a lot of satisfied customers. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? What makes people not keep looking higher and higher for better and better solutions to their concerns? 3. JOB KEPT HIS MIND ON GOD IN HIS TROUBLES. WHEN A PERSON IS CONNECTED TO GOD, HIS HEART AND SOUL HELP HIM TO GROW AND MATURE IN THE DIRECTION OF BECOMING GODLY. Many persons who haven’t fixed their thoughts on God, get fixated at a lower level of human existence. The Fruit(s) of the Spirit are singular words: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). What we forget is that there are levels of love, levels of joy, levels of peace, etc. We are not required to stay at a low-level Fruit(s) of the Spirit. Spirituality presumes growth. Job had his mind on God. Job teaches us that there was no end to the growth of his Fruit(s) of the Spirit and the benefits he derived from higher-level spirituality. --- There is a concept of salvation floating around that does not consider “levels” of spirituality. Once you are “ born again” you’re there. You have the Fruit(s). You have love, joy, peace, patience, etc. Of course you can grow, but it is secondary to the initial conversion experience. For others the initial conversion experience is just the beginning. Growth and benefits from spiritual growth are possible. We have a long way to go. We grow to become like God and his son Jesus Christ. The research says that persons who adopt this later attitude can grow to higher levels that deliver higher benefits, even for the present life. And when life is over we get the big blessing, eternal life. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? Your author has moved many times in life. Starting early as a clergyman’s son, and later moving because of new opportunities, moving became opportunities to move away from peer pressures and old ideas. Spiritual growth became easier after moving. Would a move help you get out of your rut? 4. JOB LIVED ABOVE THE ROTTENNESS THAT IS IN THIS WORLD. God’s truth and the truth from personality research collaborate in motivating you to move up the ladder of spirituality. Salvation is really a process of being “saved from the lust and rottenness all around us” (II Peter 1:4 LB). “God has qualified you (followers of Christ) to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12 LB). The inheritance is not only for the dead who are in heaven, but also for those who are alive on earth, like the Corinthian “saints” who were still not very sanctified. Job trusted in God and was not going to abandon his belief. He persevered. He had steadfastness (patience), that kind of steadfastness that comes from one’s connection with God. Jesus came along a couple thousand years later than Job. Jesus came into the world to help people break from the “rottenness all around us.” Jesus came to show us a way out of the pit of our previous existence. Jesus made it easier to have faith in God, and use that faith to move up and away from animal-like existence. You are reminded again that there are “blessings” (benefits) to being a “ saint.” God does not shield us from pain, sorrow or suffering. The forces of nature create catastrophes. The sinfulness and weakness of people create painful and sorrowful accidents. Job had his share. When the troubles of Job ceased his optimum lifestyle traits/behaviors, an outcome of his faith, were sufficiently correct to enable him to regain his wealth. Job is a model for us to follow. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? If you are a Doubting Thomas, a teenager, or someone who can’t see any sense in being a Christian, is this information helpful for you to become a believer? 5. LET YOURSELF LEARN FROM JOB THAT YOU NEED TO BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF TOO. THIS IS A PICTURE OF JOB IF HE DID NOT HAVE PATIENCE. JOB LEARNED TO BE PATIENT AND FORGIVING. HE SUFFERED FROM HUMAN AND NATURAL DISASTER BUT SURVIVED AND BECAME BLESSED MORE ABUNDANTLY. We need faith, PATIENCE and forgiveness to survive the stresses of this world. When we have enough faith, PATIENCE and forgiveness we are blessed and benefitted. The bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma was a man-made disaster. It killed 168 people and hurt 500 more. Tornados, earthquakes and hurricanes are natural disasters that bring death and destruction. Auto accidents, construction accidents, and illnesses add to the pain of human existence. Employment loss and financial loss can occur to almost anyone. Job was not happy about all the tragedy he suffered. However, he held on to his faith in God. After the miserable times, “The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10 RSV). That exact result will probably not occur automatically after tragedy. Neither God, nor the statistics indicate that there is a tragedy-to-prosperity link. However, faith in God, via belief and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ appears to be statistically connected to “blessings” or benefits, for now and for eternity. People who worship aren’t in it primarily for the material blessings. They are into faith and godliness to glorify God and “make the rough places plain” (Isaiah). DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? The Biblical record says that “the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Do you interpret this to mean that God gave him a present, and/or that Job’s “godliness” lifeskills enabled him to recoup his losses? 6. PRAYER, SELF-TALK, WORSHIP, ETC, TO REDUCE SELFISHNESS “Learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his own way with you.” (II Peter 1:6) JOB DID A LOT OF TALKING. HE TALKED WITH GOD. HE TALKED WITH HIS FRIENDS. HE TALKED WITH HIS INNER SELF. MOST OF THE TALKING WAS DONE TO CALM HIS TROUBLED HEART AND KEEP IT FROM ACTING IRRATIONALLY. The personality sciences recommend the skill of “self-talk.” Self-talk has no precise definition. Self-talk is something you do to maintain self-control. One way self-talk is used is this; self-talk is simply having your rational MIND tell your emotional PSYCHE (heart, soul) to weather the storm, and come out alive. Self-talk is a somewhat repetitious recounting of the facts, beliefs and hopes that keep people from doing something immoral, unethical or crazy. --- Self-talk could be mixed with praying. In prayer a person seeks God. The praying person is asking for help to think correctly and behave correctly throughout the time of trouble. Self-talk and prayer both seek to keep the BODY, MIND and SPIRIT functioning at their most optimum level. Persons who have no interest in God, spirituality, worship or righteousness can suffer everything Job suffered, but without any hope or promise of bouncing back like Job did. The statistics show that converted persons with higher levels of Fruit(s) of the Spirit have more PATIENCE, like Job, and bounce back. Higher one-third level PATIENCE scorers average 12% higher coping strengths than lower one-third level scorers. Job had that to his advantage. DISCUSS YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS? When the lowest 10% of PATIENCE scorers is compared with the highest 10% of PATIENCE scorers, those with the higher levels average 56% less illness incidents (covering 77 medical categories). In light of this how much prayer and self-talk does the average person need to do to get the 56% illness reduction? GETTING ONE’S ACT TOGETHER THE FIGURE PICTURES CONVERSION OF THE HEART TO BE THOUGHTFUL OF OTHERS. ANGERS NEED TO BE DUMPED. GOD SUGGESTS FULL-COMMITMENT FOR FULL BENEFITS. Conversion must change the selfishness to caring for others. There is not a lot of sense to be a mediocre Christian. Of course, even being a weak-hearted Christian brings eternal life, but few benefits in this life. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NIV) Recall this promise again. “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29 RSV). When God makes a “promise,” that promise is just the same as God simply stating a fact, which research has been able to authenticate. MY COMMITMENT TO INCREASING MY PATIENCE EXAMPLES 1. I am more impatient than I should be with ________, _______, _______, and ______, so I feel guilty a lot. 2. I am undercutting my own benefits from my faith by being impatient, so I must take some personal responsibility. I will do the following to increase my patience. ______________, ______________, ______________. 3. God’s Children of Israel wore arm bands with the 10 commandments written on them, to remind themselves about God’s expectations for them. I will fashion some reminder to remind myself to be PATIENT. Here is my idea. _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______. 4. I will read the Biblical record of JOB in the Old Testament to learn how PATIENT Job was and what his rewards were. _______, (Check this.) 5. Perhaps I need to write a PATIENCE in big letters on my bathroom mirror to keep reminding myself. _______ (Check this.) 6. Perhaps there is another problem. Maybe I don’t have enough of Fruit of the Spirit No. 9 “Self-control, or of any of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit.” Perhaps I am not “born-again” by the Spirit of God, because the Devil really hates to let go. 7. I will go back and look at the graphs and Promises of God in all the preceding lessons until I am convinced to the core of my being, the depths of my soul. _____________ (Check this.)	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