Corinthians 4:7-12, Romans 5:1-5 Forbearance is one of the manifestations of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It means patience, restraint, or tolerance under provocation. There are times in life when you are faced with one form of challenge or another.
When you find yourself in an unpleasant situation, you must learn to forbear just as Jesus did. He endured the Cross so you might be saved. You too can endure because of the benefits that await you.
Introduction
In 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Paul expressed all that they passed through, yet by the all-surpassing power of God, they were able to forbear. They were hard pressed on every side, but were not crushed, they were perplexed but were not in despair. They were persecuted but were not abandoned, they were struck down but were not destroyed.
Paul also expressed that as a believer, you should glory in your sufferings because suffering produces perseverance which in turn produces character, which brings forth hope (Romans 5:3-4).
Do you know that those who endure and wait for God’s timing will always receive His blessings? Hannah was barren at the time and Peninnah always troubled her. But rather than fighting her or going to look for a solution elsewhere, she prayed to God, and in due time, God blessed her with Samuel and other children.
An adage says, “The patient dog eats the fattest bone, “so, for you to enjoy the blessings of God in life, you must learn to be patient. Don’t give up on yourself, and don’t give up on God. Then wait; He will grant you the desires of your heart in His own time.
1. Forbearance endures bleak situations.
Romans 2: 4 “Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance”.
You may face situations in your life that are challenging and tough. Sometimes, you pray and the answer seems not to come. Trust God that God will do what He has promised. Lead children to pray that God will teach them to be patient so that they will experience His reward).
2. Forbearance is perseverance.
Romans 5: 3-4, “Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
God wants us to forbear. Are you patient? Are there children you are not playing with because they make you angry? As you go this week, find time to talk with someone you have rejected as a friend. Ensure you bear with people who offend you this week.
3. Forbearance brings about control of yourself.
1 Peter 5: 8-11, “Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, and strengthen. And settle you. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.” Amen.
The present situation may be up and down. You need to control yourself in this situation; you have to forbear for the Lord does not forsake you. Be strong in the Lord who called to the grace of Jesus Christ. It shall be well.
4. Forbearance encourages a sound mind.
1 Peter 4: 7, “But the end of all things is near. Therefore, be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer”.
This verse tells that our mind must not be shaken; we should not be weary but have a sound mind.
5. Forbearance encourages faith and patience.
James 1: 2-4 “Count it all joy, my brother, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
This verse encourages us that in any situation we find ourselves, we should see it as a test of our faith. There is nothing we can worry about because the Lord is preparing us for the great mission that will commit to us.
6. Forbearance discourages weariness.
Hebrews 12: 3, “For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls”.
This Bible verse soothes our hearts from weariness and faintness. We must let our hearts be at rest and peace. No challenge is forever. Things will get better as soon as possible.
7. Forbearance encourages calmness and watchfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5: 5, 6, “You are all sons of light, and sons of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor darkness, so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober (calm and self-controlled)”.
This verse reminds us that we are sons of light. We are not the sons of the darkness. The verse encourages us to be watchful and be patient. The Lord is in control of your life and all that concerns you. We are implored to be calm and self-controlled.
8. Forbearance brings about rejoicing.
Philippians 4: 4, 5, “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand”.
The Bible verse encourages us to rejoice in the Lord all the time. We should forget about the present situation because God has never forgotten us. He is at work.
9. Forbearance initiates a tender heart.
Colossians, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection”.
The verse teaches us to cool down during the challenges of life. We should be with one another and forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us. We have to come together as one that shows that we forbear ourselves.
10. Forbearance teaches love and peace.
Ephesians 4: 1-3, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”.
The Bible says that forbearance produces love and peace. Through forbearance, we can live with our enemies successfully. We should maintain sustain love and maintain peace. Through forbearance, we should be able to endure ourselves.
11. Forbearance clears the transgression.
Numbers 14: 18, “The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to their and fourth generation”.
The Bible teaches us that through forbearance, transgression is forgotten. This will allow us to live together in love and harmony. We should be able to create a peaceful atmosphere.
12. Forbearance produces belief.
1 Corinthians 13: 7, “Bear all things, believe all things, hopes all things, endure all things”.
The Bible verse explains forbearance as something that bears, believes, hopes, forgives, endures, etc. all things that may be bordering our hearts.
Further Bible Verses about forbearance are as follows:
Galatians 5: 22-26, 2 Corinthians 4: 7: 7-12, Romans 5: 1-5, Psalm 40: 1-4, 1 Peter 2: 22-23, Psalm 86: 15, Psalm 103: 8, Joel 2: 13, Mathew 7: 2, Luke 6: 37, Titus 3: 1-2, Ephesians 4: 3, Isaiah 48: 9, Jonah 4: 1, Genesis 18: 32, Nehemiah 9: 30. You can read more related posts on our Bible-search page of the site.
