Physicians and therapy experts tell us that patience increases our mental health. It also increases our gratitude and other positive emotions by putting things in perspective and decreasing our anxiety. It minimizes depression and other negative emotions, as it increases our ability to cope with trauma and stress.
This valuable asset deepens our connection to other people because we are less irritable toward what we identify as their flaws. It makes us more hopeful and brings a deeper satisfaction with our life. If we are impatient with things we cannot control, our stress increases, which impairs our mental and physical health.
Embracing life’s hassles will bring a perfecting work in our life. Experiences such as long waits at the doctor’s office or retail store or in traffic jams, with technological malfunctions, or the length or depth of our trials frustrate us if we do not accept them as part of life when we cannot do anything to change them.
Patience teaches us to identify emotional triggers, which enables us to change from negative to positive emotions. It helps us to have more sympathy and compassion for other people, and it helps us to enter God’s rest as we trust in Him to work out issues in our life (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Our personality develops more flexibility, cooperation, warmth, generosity, kindness, and acceptance toward our self and other people and experiences. We forgive quicker and hold no ill will or desire for vengeance toward others. We feel happier and more fulfilled with our life. We also hyperventilate less and breathe more deeply.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for Your Word’s admonition to allow patience to perfect us (James 1:4-8). We want to be perfect as You are perfect (Matthew 5:48). Help us not to set a goal to protect our self from difficulties, but to roll more with the “punches” that life throws at us. Teach us that people are as human as we are, and we all exhibit frustrating behavior from time to time.
Motivate us to practice patience in maddening situations, especially those we cannot change. We submit to Your Holy Spirit in order to receive Your sanctifying ministry and to receive Your fruit to replace the negative aspects of our personality. We want to glorify You in all our thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. We know this will enable us to enjoy better health; and also, we can reveal this peaceful possibility to others who struggle with patience.
Thoughts for the Day:
Patience is a skill, and we can learn it as we embrace frustrating circumstances and people rather than seething over these matters. At the same time, we express more helpful behavior toward others, we tolerate a person’s idiosyncrasies rather than allowing their behavior to rob us of our joy. We can bring a book to read or needlework when we anticipate having to wait for long periods of time.
