Day 6- Patience
Author: David Fullerton
Since I have struggled over the years with patience, I had to look up the definition. Patience is the ability to stay calm while you're waiting for an outcome that you need or want.
Usually, what you are struggling with is something that the Lord is trying to show you. Are you impatient with people? Are you impatient waiting on the promotion you were promised or a new job? Or is it the person in front of you, beside you or the one really close behind you on I-24?
For me it was the feeling that I needed to be on time, and I’m sure it had nothing to do with the military training me to be +/- 30 seconds time on target. How would you like to live with that person? Oh, my poor wife! I learned to be patient enjoying the moments and enjoying the people who I was with. I realized that it's ok to sometimes be late. There's no need to rush.
"Patience is not the ability to wait, but how you act when you are waiting." - Joyce Meyers
Maybe for you it’s practicing empathy to defuse your impatience. Give the other person your full attention and try to see beyond your own frustrations by imagining yourself in the other person's position. Or maybe just to tell yourself it’s ok to be late and ask God to show you what He might be trying say. So, what's triggering your impatience? Make that list, journal it, look and see what's causing you to feel this way.
PRAYER
Dear God, I thank you that You have immense patience for me, even though I don’t always have patience. Thank you that because I believe in You and have received eternal life, that You are always showing me mercy. I don't deserve how good You are to me, but I accept Your promise that You love me and have great patience for me. I am humbled by Your unconditional love and I praise You for Your patient, saving grace. Amen.
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3