Message Library

The Benefits of Patience

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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2

Impatience can easily take the joy out of life, making us angry, increasing stress, and raising our blood pressure. Take a moment and image what life would be like with perfect patience, going through the day relaxed, living each moment to the fullest.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) Impatience is an emotional state that usually comes from desires of the flesh fueled by the mind. Our impatience originates in the mind and feeds our emotions, often making things more complicated and stressful.

Impatience is rushing to get something done, which can take away the ability to live in the present. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John10:10) How can we live life to the full without living in the present? Impatience can easily pull us away from the Spirit and into the desires of our flesh. When we follow the Spirit, we have rest for our souls because the Spirit guides toward the pace Jesus had.

Impatience can easily change our emotions to anger and/or fear. A person with impatience and with lack of self-control, can be an angry at another person that is interrupting their schedule. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (Philippians 2.3)

Impatience can steal the joy from our life. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11) Joy and patience are fruit of the Spirit and we cannot have joy if we are in strong emotional state of impatience.

Today make a concentrated effort to be patient, while driving to work, with the people at work, and with your family. If we walk in the Spirit with patience, we are more relaxed and experiencing rest for our souls. Periodically take a moment and imagine what life would be like with perfect patience. Even if the world around you is fast paced, use the fast pace as a signal to slow down and exercise patience and calmness.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be patient and kind to everyone, especially when I am driving. Fill my heart with love because your love is the only way I can be free from me and free in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen