One of my friends blogged on patience. Here are some noteworthy thoughts from her blog post.
Patience is more then simply waiting, or not complaining. Patience is an attitude.
It’s almost as though patience is a time management decision.
You can read her whole post here.
She also asked us to comment. So, here’s my take.
Someone once prayed, “God, give me patience… right now.” Because of our sinful nature, we humans are naturally impatient. It’s hard for us to delay gratification. We want what we want and we want it right now.
Where does true patience come from?
Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…” True patience comes from God the Holy Spirit. When we’re filled1 with the Holy Spirit, we become more and more patient. But we’ve got a choice to make. Will we tap into the power, self-discipline2, and wisdom of the Spirit3, or will we choose to live under our own power and wisdom?
Here’s a little snapshot of how patience works in my life.
I need to buy groceries. I hate waiting in line. No, you don’t understand, I really hate waiting in line. So I decide to go to Walmart on a weekday morning to avoid the lines. But wouldn’t you know it, thirty people have my same great idea. When I’m done finding my groceries, there are five lines five carts deep.
Aargh. Gotta wait. Gotta wait. Gotta wait. What to do? Get frustrated. Think of all the things I could be doing instead. Wonder why the cashier is taking forever.
Or I can realize these things. I’m a Christian. The Holy Spirit is with me at all times. He wants me to experience love, joy, and peace instead of frustration. What would He have me do instead of being critical of the slow cashier?
I rack my brain. Love, joy, peace. Hmm.
What if I prayed for the cashiers? They’re probably more stressed out than me. Lord, please bring peace to the cashiers.
What if I prayed for the other shoppers? That guy looks depressed. Lord, please bring joy to his life. That mother with three rambunctious kids looks mildly annoyed. God, please give her strength and wisdom to raise her kids well and bless her kids with good health.
What if I took my time in line to be grateful? God, thanks for money to buy groceries. Thanks for a car to drive to Walmart.
Wow. I’m not as frustrated anymore. I feel a little better. :)
These examples may seem extreme, but we need extreme measures to deal with our impatient, selfish sinful natures.
So, next time you’re tempted to have an impatient attitude, slow down and figure out what the Holy Spirit would have you do and think. The Spirit can lead us to love, joy, and peace instead of impatience, frustration, and selfishness.
What tips do you have for becoming a more patient person?
1 Eph. 5:18
2 2 Tim. 1:7
3 Romans 8:6
6 responses so far ↓
Jessica Eberly // Jul 11, 2006 at 9:29 pm
you know its funny that you wrote about patience this week. becasue i’m a crew leader at our vbs this week and i have this one 3 year old who has been seriously testing my patenice. its kinda sad because in all of this i hadn’t thought to stop and pray for more patience or for god to help clam the child down. thanks for writing this one. gave me a new perspective and motivated me a lot :)
Midori // Jul 11, 2006 at 10:08 pm
You rock, my rocker brother! Love ya!
Daniel H // Jul 11, 2006 at 10:17 pm
Wow, you went off about her blog too… cool beans! That blog is really gettin’ around…
dee // Jul 12, 2006 at 3:40 am
Jess, thanks for reading my blog and leaving an encouraging comment. I pray that God would help all of us to exercise more patience even with little kids. They can be a handful, those little guys!
Midori, my lil sis, thanks for reading. Keep on rocking, too!
Daniel, I guess blogging runs in the family =)
Allan // Jul 13, 2006 at 11:14 am
yay! you’re blogging again!
dee // Jul 17, 2006 at 11:23 am
You know it, brother!
Now, it’s your turn to post. :) Just kidding. I know you’re busy.
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