I
never understood why patience is so important, until God revealed that my occasional
grouchiness, frustration, and even anger are usually triggered due to the
underlying cause of a lack of patience. God uses big and small daily trials to
teach us patience.
If
we learn patience, then our other sins will not be triggered. WOW…amazing
linkage there. James learned this lesson too, when he encouraged us to have joy
in diverse temptations, because when our faith is tried, it works patience in
us (James 1:2-4).
James
goes on to explain that patience needs to do her perfecting work in us, so that
we will be perfect, fulfilled and complete. The stronger our patience, the more
able we are to withstand trials, and the more joyful and peaceful we are in
life.
God's
Spirit uses trials to build into us the mind, character and nature of Christ (1
Corinthians 2:18; Romans 12:2; 2 Peter 1:4). This transformation allows us to
deal with anything that life throws at us, at the same time that God gives us a
level path on which to live (Psalm 27:11), regardless of our circumstances.
God's
Word promises that we will reap the results of our labors, if we do not grow
weary and faint (Galatians 6:9). Even when the promise God gives us appears to
be lost and impossible, through patience, God rebirths the vision and we see
its final fruition.
When
we consider every issue we face with the joy of the Lord, along with prayer,
and thankfulness for all He is and what He does for us, He gives us His
strength to endure the difficulties (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
When
life happens, these issues disturb our hard-earned peace; but as we draw on
God's peace that has nothing to do with this world or the conditions around us
(Philippians 4:7), our trials turn into friends who come to help us find
contentment.
Prayer:
Father
God, patience often escapes us because our attitude about life is faulty. We
are used to instant potatoes and milk, drive through windows, and express
lanes. We expect life to deliver everything to us now, without much of a wait.
This is an attempt to circumvent our need for patience to do her perfect will
in our life. However, we desire to be like Jesus, who spent His time doing and
saying only what You said and did (John 5:19).
Help
us to look at patience from a positive viewpoint, rather than something to be
avoided at all costs. As we practice patience in every situation, You teach us
Your truths through all of our experiences. Remind us to persist in prayer,
regardless of how long it takes for You to answer those requests; and to have
patience with people, events, traffic, pets, etc. so she can do her perfect
work in us.
Thought
for the Day:
God
considers obedience as more desirable than sacrifice, because that is how we
prove our love to Him; the flaws in our thinking, character and worldview
change as the Holy Spirit works patience into our nature, and gives us the
fruit of His Spirit and the divine nature of Jesus.
-
1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Peter 1:4; Galatians 5:22-23
