The Gift of Patience
Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.
Romans 12:12
Impatience can easily enter our day and take away our peace and comfort. How do obtain patience when our days are filled with schedules and deadlines? Satan’s goal is to have us always thinking about the tasks ahead of us, so we become overwhelmed, fearful, and impatient. Satan does not want us to be relaxed and comfortable, living each moment to the fullest with patience. If we go through our days rushing to achieve all our tasks, we can end up tired, both physically and mentally, with little or no connection to God, and that is what Satan desires.
Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and the more patience we have the more peace and joy we can experience. Imagine what it would be like to have perfect patience, never choosing to rush, going through life at a relaxed pace with peace, joy, and confidence, that comes from the Lord.
About five years ago the Lord explained the following verse to me. Be still, and know that I am God; (Psalm 46:10). “Being still” is a state of mind that we can carry with us at all times. We live each moment to the full by being aware of what is going on around us, seeing the world through the eyes of God, and seeking to show and bring Christ to others. Did Jesus ever rush, or did he take time to see the people around him so he could minister to them? I have found that being still inside is a great blessing, because it has slowed me down to live each moment to the fullest, enjoying life more, and living my days more efficiently, with peace, joy, and with a relaxed attitude. Sometimes I notice Satan trying to make me rush, I stop and pray and ask the Lord to guide me through the day step by step with patience, and peace return.
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (Proverbs 13:29) With patience we can take the time to commune with the Lord, seeking his wisdom, his understanding, and his guidance in whatever we are doing. Patience changes our worrisome thoughts to peaceful thoughts to God.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2) With patience it’s easier to be humble and gentle and respectful with our speech. Patience helps us to listen to people and to understand what they are saying and feeling, and to respond with Godly wisdom, with a gentle and respectful attitude.
- Below are six steps that can help us when we need patience.
- Identify the things that trigger your impatience
- Identify the reason for your impatience (habit, worry, anger, etc.)
- Look at the big picture of life, from God’s perspective.
- For each decision for impatience, look at the spiritual and worldly consequences
- Live each moment to the fullest will help us to slow down and live in Godly wisdom and give us more peace.
Exercise thankfulness to the Lord, this will give us peace leading to more patience.
Today make an effort to be more patience in whatever you are doing; driving, waiting in line, or talking to someone. Try and catch yourself when Satan brings impatience to you, and pray or patience and ask God for step by step guidance through the day. Live this day with peace, joy, and confident with a relaxed attitude. Reap the blessings of patience.
Prayer: Lord I pray for a day filled with patience, a day where I’m not rushed, living this day to the fullest, with confidence, peace and joy. Help me to live this day the way you want me to live this day. Trusting you and seeking your guidance, and being a light for the lost souls in this world. In Jesus name, Amen