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.”
