I
have noticed that in today's "drive-through" world, we really lack
the virtue of patience. We give-in too easily to impatience; however, we can
find real joy when we allow patience to have a perfecting work in our thoughts,
emotions and choices.
I
used to hate the need for patience in my daily activities; however, once I
started embracing the situation, with all of the frustration, wasted time,
irritations, etc. and focused instead on allowing patience to perfect me, my
whole attitude changed, and even my face and body language relaxed.
"Let
patience have her perfect work" (James 1:4-8) is not telling us to "be"
patient or to "get" patience. It is simply telling us to submit to
God and to "allow" patience, which is a fruit from the Holy Spirit,
to do its perfecting work in us (Galatians 5:22-23).
This
allows us to abide in God's rest much more often (Hebrews 4:10-11). We trade
the negative emotions disturbing our attitude with God's peace and joy. Then,
we sit back and patiently watch to see what the Lord does with our
circumstances.
The
more we strive toward perfection the more our flesh draws us back into sin and
rebellion. We can only walk in perfection as we rely on the promises and Spirit
of God (2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 1:4). Our obedience to God is both inspired
and empowered by His Spirit within us (Philippians 2:12-13).
This
takes all of the stress out of life for us. We walk in freedom and joy, with
God's peace in our heart regardless of the irritating circumstances; knowing
without a doubt that God has a seed for a miracle planted in the midst of every
trial.
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us that the Christian walk is not about self-effort, but about
submission to You first and foremost in all areas of our life. We concede to
Your plans in everything we think, say and do; and You direct our path
(Proverbs 3:5-6). Remind us that our part in our spiritual walk is simply to
surrender to the work of Your Holy Spirit in our life.
We
are but a lump of clay, and You are the Master Potter (Jeremiah 18:1-6; Isaiah
64:8). You are our Alpha and Omega and You give us Your living water as we
thirst for You alone (Revelation 21:6).We walk in Your ways now, and we will
serve You for eternity in Your new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1).
Thought
for the Day:
Attempting
to create for our self a perfect world, we try to discipline our self to walk
in good works and obedience to God's Word; however, this self-effort is often
fruitless and counterproductive; by trusting in God to save us, and to perfect
us in every way, regardless of the circumstances of our life, we enter His rest
and remove all stress from our life.
