Equanimity  [ee-kwuh-nim-i-tee]
by Chris Cumming
 

I am sure most of you have heard the story of the man who got on his knees to pray to God asking for patience.  He states to God, “Give me patience and give it to me right now.”  Clearly the man is somehow missing the point…or is he?  Let’s find out.

The questions before us are:

1] What is patience?
2] How does patience work?
3] As a firstfruit, is this something I can manifest?
4] How is patience a part of my developing spiritual character?
5] When does God expect me to show patience?
6] What are the benefits of patience?

The purpose of the sermon today is to answer these and many more questions as I encourage all of us to develop and practice patience.

Develop patience

Let us begin the study of patience or Equanimity [ee-kwuh-nim-i-tee] with some definitions from our table top dictionary.

Pa·tience  [pey-shuhns]  …noun 

1. The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

2. An ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner. 

3. Quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience. 

A synonym for Patience is assiduity.  Remember the definition of Assiduity?

The word, Assiduity means:
1. Persistent application or diligence; unflagging effort.
2. Constant personal attention.
3. Devoted attention.
4. Constant and close application.

Every one of the key words here points to and assumes patience.

Let us now go to the biblical dictionary but first a question and a view of the word, “patience” in context.

Question:  Does patience come by way of tribulation?

Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Notice first that firstfruits are justified by faith.  Being so they have peace.  You will see throughout the sermon that Peace and Patience go together.  Patience brings both peace and hope.

Next notice that we glory [rejoice and have joy in] tribulations because the product or result of them is patience.  Then we see that patience brings experience and the experience, hope.

Look at that again.  Peace and hope come to us through the multitude of trials and tribulations and the day-to-day fact that we are humans in a physical world.  These trials and tests produce patience.  When one has a trial that results in patience, this is an experience.  This word, “experience” here means, “proof” and “trustiness.”  Therefore we are not talking about good and bad experiences, as is the general use of this word.  We are talking about a very specific and very spiritual experience. 

When we experience the tribulations of life and use that trial to produce patience, we are proving how things work spiritually.  We see the light.  We “get it” as they say.  That experience of proof and trust is born out of the production of patience.  What does the biblical dictionary have on the patience from Romans 5?

It is word G5281 hupomone [hoop-om-on-ay].  It means cheerful or hopeful endurance and constancy or continuance.  Remember our first definition from the dictionary?  It reads, “The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.”

What this all means is that when we enter into a test or trial or just those day-to-day irritations of life, we smile and even rejoice because we are about to have an experience where we will once again, “Get” or understand how things work.  We smile, because we have just taken another step toward the Kingdom of God.  We have joy because we have once again proved God and His Word.

The word, “patience” is only found in the New Testament and is used in 33 verses.  All but five are G5281.  I will show the other five words and the Greek words used at the end of this sermon.  All five speak to patient endurance and having fortitude.  The word, “patient” is used but 9 times [one OT – eight NT] and use a number of different Greek words including G5281.

Question:  Is patience a fruit of the Spirit and therefore produced within us by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (long and patient endurance), gentleness, goodness, faith.

This specifically answers my original question 3 asking whether patience can be manifested.  The answer is, “yes, absolutely.”

Question:  What is the meaning of the word, Equanimity [ee-kwuh-nim-i-tee] which is the title of this sermon?

Equanimity: mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium.

Patient firstfruits exhibit mental and emotional stability and composure despite what is going on.  They are constantly preparing for the shock.  Imagine this for a moment; the more stability you have in this area, the more excited you become about putting all experiences into God’s hands and then working with Him as He leads you through the spiritual experience that is generated from the patience you manifested [Romans 5:4].

So… Develop patience

Let us now delve into some of these verses speaking of patience-G5281. 

Luke 21:19 
In your patience possess ye your souls.

In your patience - Rather by your perseverance. The word “patience” here means constancy or perseverance in sustaining afflictions.

Possess ye your souls - Some read here the “future” instead of the “present” of the verb rendered “possess.” The word “possess” means here to “preserve” or keep, and the word “souls” means “lives.” This passage may be thus translated: By persevering in bearing these trials you “will” save your lives, or you will be safe; or, by persevering “preserve” your lives; that is, do not yield to these calamities, but bear up under them, for he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. ~Barnes Notes

In your patience - Rather, your perseverance, your faithful continuance in my word and doctrine. Ye will preserve your souls. ~Adam Clarke

In your patience, possess ye your souls. - By patiently bearing all afflictions, reproaches, indignities, and persecutions, enjoy yourselves; let nothing disturb or distress you; possess that peace and joy in your souls, which the world cannot take away.  By patient continuance, or by perseverance in the ways of God, and the truths of Christ unto the end, ye shall be saved; shall find your lives, and enjoy your souls. ~John Gill

In your patience possess ye your souls - Be calm and serene, masters of yourselves, and superior to all irrational and disquieting passions. By keeping the government of your spirits, you will both avoid much misery, and guard the better against all dangers. ~John Wesley

Here is an excerpt from the E. F. Meyer:

In suffering our souls become searched as by fire. We learn to know ourselves and to come into possession of an experience and a self-knowledge with which only suffering could have endowed us. ~E. F. Meyer

Possess ye your souls - Rightly, ye shall win. -Vincent's Word Studies

My conclusions to these explanations:

1] In patience, we persevere in sustaining afflictions.
2] The foundation to patience is faithful continuance in the Word of God.
3] In all suffering, trials and tribulations we have an opportunity to see a spiritual experience.
4] Be calm and serene, masters of yourself.
5] Govern your spirits.
6] In every experience generated by patience, we come to better know ourselves.
7] By continuing in the "patience process" we ultimately win both now and eternally.

Let us look at Romans 5 again.

Romans 5:3-4
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Notice this from the Biblical Illustrator:

The Christian process
I. Tribulation gives rise to patience, coming from a verb which signifies “to keep good under” (a burden, blows, etc.) , and might be rendered “endurance.”

II. Endurance, in its turn, worketh experience—the state of a force or virtue which has stood trials. This force, issuing victorious from the conflict, is undoubtedly the faith of the Christian, the worth of which he has now proved by experience. It is a weapon of which henceforth he knows the value. The word frequently denotes the proved Christian, the man who has shown what he is

III. When, finally, the believer has thus experienced the Divine force with which faith fills him in the midst of suffering, he feels his hope rise. Nothing which can happen to him in the future any longer affrights him. The prospect of glory opens up to him nearer and more brilliant. How many Christians have declared that they never knew the gladness of faith or lively hope till they gained it by tribulation! With this word the apostle has returned to the end of Romans 5:2; and as there are deceitful hopes, he adds that this, “the hope of glory,” runs no risk of being falsified by the event. ~The Biblical Illustrator

Romans 8:22-28  ...giving you the context here for our key verse 25.  Notice how hope is tied to patience.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

But if we hope ... - The effect here stated is one which exists everywhere. Where there is a strong desire for an object, and a corresponding expectation of obtaining it - which constitutes true hope - then we can wait for it with patience. Where there is a strong desire without a corresponding expectation of obtaining it, there is impatience. As the Christian has a strong desire of future glory, and as he has an expectation of obtaining it just in proportion to that desire, it follows that he may bear trials and persecutions patiently in the hope of his future deliverance. Compared with our future glory, our present sufferings are light, and but for a moment; 2 Corinthians 4:17. In the hope of that blessed eternity which is before him, the Christian can endure the severest trial, and bear the most intense pain without a complaint. ~Barnes Notes

Quoted verse:
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

All this speaks to our recurring conversation regarding having the 10,000-year perspective.  Our eyes are on the Kingdom.  This too develops our patience.

Here is another one showing the link between patience and hope.

Romans 15:4-5
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

For whatsoever things ... - This is a “general” observation which struck the mind of the apostle, from the particular case which he had just specified. He had just made use of a striking passage in the Psalms to his purpose. The thought seems suddenly to have occurred to him that “all” the Old Testament was admirably adapted to express Christian duties and doctrine, and he therefore turned aside from his direct argument to express this sentiment. It should be read as a parenthesis.

Were written aforetime - That is, in ancient times; in the Old Testament.

For our learning - For our “teaching” or instruction. Not that this was the “only” purpose of the writings of the Old Testament, to instruct Christians; but that all the Old Testament might be useful “now” in illustrating and enforcing the doctrines and duties of piety toward God and man.

Through patience - This does not mean, as our translation might seem to suppose, patience “of the Scriptures,” but it means that by patiently enduring sufferings, in connection with the consolation which the Scriptures furnish, we might have hope. The “tendency” of patience, the apostle tells us Romans 5:4 [discussed above], is to produce “hope”.

And comfort of the Scriptures - By means of the consolation which the writings of the Old Testament furnish. The word rendered “comfort” means also “exhortation” or “admonition.” If this is its meaning here, it refers to the admonitions which the Scriptures suggest, instructions which they impart, and the exhortations to patience in trials. If it means “comfort,” then the reference is to the examples of the saints in affliction; to their recorded expressions of confidence in God in their trials, as of Job, Daniel, David, etc. Which is the precise meaning of the word here, it is not easy to determine.

Might have hope - We may learn here,
(1) that afflictions may prove to be a great blessing.
(2) that their proper tendency is to produce “hope.”
(3) that the way to find support in afflictions is to go to the Bible.

By the example of the ancient saints, by the expression of their confidence in God, by their patience, “we” may learn to suffer, and may not only be “instructed,” but may find “comfort” in all our trials. ~Barnes Notes

Colossians 1:9-13  ...giving you some context to our key verse 11
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Strengthened with all might - This was also an object of Paul’s earnest prayer. He desired that they might be strengthened for the performance of duty; to meet temptations; and to bear up under the various trials of life.

According to his glorious power - Not by any human means, but by the power of God. There is a manifestation of power in the spirit with which Christians are enabled to bear up under trials, which shows that it is not of human origin. It is the power which God gives them in the day of trial. This power is “glorious,” or, as it is in the Greek, it is the “power of his glory.” It is manifestly the power of the great and glorious God, and it tends to promote his glory, and to show forth his praise.

Unto all patience - So that you may be enabled to bear all your trials without complaining. It is only the power of God that can enable us to do that. ~Barnes Notes

If you did not see this before, I am hoping that you now see Patience as a dynamic action word rather than just a passive element.  All fruit of the Spirit demands action and process.

I encourage you all to use the text of sermon as a beginning of your further study into patience and equanimity [ee-kwuh-nim-i-tee].

Develop patience

I want to leave you with a number of quotes on the subject of Patience.  Listen to see if anyone uses the title of this sermon.

Quotes on Patience

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

1 Corinthians 14:37 
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Galatians 6:1 
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

1 Corinthians 2:15 
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Romans 8:6 
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past.
If you are anxious, you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

Matthew 6:11 
Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:33-34
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

“Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.”

“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.”

“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

Helen Keller said, "We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world."

“Abused patience turns to fury.”

“Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character.”

“The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.”

“A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else.”

“Our patience will achieve more than our force.”

“Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.”

“Patience is the best remedy for every trouble.”

Notice these verses
Psalm 126:5 
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Galatians 6:9 
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Now notice the quote:

“Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown.”

Let us now close with a reading from James, chapter 5.

James 5:7-11
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

...the judge standeth before the door.

Patient

Patience

Develop patience

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