Becoming Patient

Patience is one of the greatest qualities a person can exemplify. It’s actually a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The patience of a person is admirable. God is very patient, and if you follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit empowers you to be patient too. Here are a few areas of life where you can practice patience. First, be patient with yourself. As you grow in your relationship with Christ and seek to imitate Him, remember that change is continual. When you mess up along the way, God is still at work in your life. Rest in God’s grace, and remember that He is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). Second, be patient with your prayers. God has plans for you, and the way He answers your prayers may be different from your ideal time frame. What may seem like delays could be God’s way of working things out for your good and for His purposes (Romans 8:28). So, wait and wait some more until He gives you His answers. Third, be patient with others. No one is perfect. Add a little more consideration and understanding in dealing with those around you. Be patient the way Jesus has been and is being patient with you. • Golda Dilema • Who is someone you admire who exemplifies patience? • Do you find it difficult to wait for things that are important to you? • Do you sometimes feel impatient with yourself or with people around you? How can remembering that God is patient (and His Spirit is in you) help in these moments? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 40:1; Proverbs 16:32; Ephesians 4:2