Developing Our Patience

Developing Our Patience

If there’s one thing we all need to work on it is patience. If you’re a writer you need more patience than most because of the slow pace of the publishing industry.

We live our lives on the fast track with a microwave or Amazon Prime mentality. We want it now. To achieve our goals and fulfill our desires we rush and hurry. When they aren’t instantly satisfied we wait and worry. If we’re not careful, before we know it we can be out of control. There is another way. 

The word of God reveals to us the answer. Once we understand how God would have us to be patient, we will be much more productive in every area of our lives.

Proverbs 16:22 (KJV), “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.”

Four Ways Your Patience Is Tested

1. Interruptions

Matthew 19:13 – 15 (KJV), “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.”

Sometimes there is a reason for an interruption. We need to see the bigger picture.

2. Inconveniences

Luke 10:40 – 42 (KJV), “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Sometimes we will suffer inconveniences. Again, we need to see the bigger picture.

3. Irritations

Judges 2:3 (KJV), “Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they will become as thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.’”

Yes, God allows irritations in our life. 

Remember, frogs eat anything that bugs them. 

4. Inactivity

Proverbs 19:2 (KJV), “Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.”

Let’s face it. We hate to wait. Sometimes, we do the wrong thing instead of waiting for God’s timing. Remember Sarah and Abraham and Hagar? (See Genesis 16)

How To Be a More Patient Person

1. Develop a new perspective.

Proverbs 19:11 (KJV), “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”

2. Desire a sense of humor

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV), “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

An unknown someone once said, “Laughter is the lotion for the sunburn of life.”

3. Deepen your love.

1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7 (ESV), “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

4. Depend on the Lord

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV), “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

The root of impatience is selfishness.


Image by Luna from Pixabay

Living the Good Life 

Living the Good Life 

And the fruit of the spirit is … goodness.

Did you know God made you for a purpose?

  • When you live the way God intended you to live, you will feel good. Your life will become meaningful. 
  • Why will you feel good? You will feel good you’re living with a purpose, doing what God desires you to do.

Ephesians 2:10 English Standard Version (ESV), “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

When you become a Believer in Jesus Christ (a Christian), you are not saved because of your good works (anything you did). You are saved for good works. The Christian lifestyle is a lifestyle of goodness.

The Good Life

  1. Some people think the good life means looking good.
  2. Some people think the good life means feeling good.
  3. Some people think the good life means having the goods.

What is goodness?

  1. Goodness is being and doing good.
  2. Remember, God made you for a purpose.
Ephesians 2:10 Version (ESV), “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Five Suggestions For Learning to Do Good

1. Read the book (the Bible).

Psalm 119:11 King James Version (KJV), “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

2. Guard your mind.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV), “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

3. Develop convictions

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!

Romans 12:9 (KJV), “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

4. Develop the courage to be different.

Daniel 3:13-18 (KJV), “Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” 

5. Get with the right crowd.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV), “ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Conclusion

Galatians 6:9 (KJV), “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”


Photo Credit: Image by RitaE from Pixabay

Faithfulness

Faithfulness

And the fruit of the spirit is … faithfulness.

What does it mean to be faithful? It means to be reliable. It means to be trustworthy. It means to be dependable. It means to be consistent.

Faithfulness is imperative in the Christian life. Since God desires for us to be like Him, He wants us to be faithful. He wants us to be faithful in our relationships and with our resources. If you are a Christian writer, He wants you to be faithful in your writing. 

This day, learn to be faithful or continue in your faithfulness.

Why Is Faithfulness So Important?

1. Because God is Faithful

Psalm 33:4 KJV, “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.”

2. It Makes Life Easier

2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”

“The greatest ability is dependability.” Quote from Bob Jones

 

Faithfulness Requires You To …

1. Keep your promises.

Proverbs 25:14 KJV, “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”

2. Honor your marriage.

Ephesians 5:25 KJV, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

3. Use your gifts.

1 Peter 4:10 KJV, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

4. Make the most of your time.

Ephesians 5:16 KJV, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

5. Stand by your friends.

Proverbs 17:17 KJV, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

6. Manage your money.

Matthew 25:29 KJV, “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

7. Do your best work.

Colossians 3:23 KJV, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

8. Commit yourself to a church.

Hebrews 10:25 KJV, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Conclusion: Are you faithful?

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful,” 1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV.


Photo Source: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay