James 1:19-20 (NLT) 19 Understand
this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to
speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human
anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
I will be the first to tell you that I have not always been
the most patient person; in fact I know I still have a ways to go. Whether it’s in my home or on the job, with
my family, friends or even perfect strangers; I sometimes forget to be patient. Sometimes I am just so consumed with what is
going on around me or within me that I just simple lose my patience’s and my
peace. I can’t see straight because I am
allowing whatever is going on at the time to take over all thought and
rationality.
When the impatience is shown towards me however, I’m wondering
what in the world that other person’s problem is. I mean, don’t they understand that sometimes
I’m just not having a good day or I’m in a rush? Can’t they see what I’m going through or that
just maybe they need to lighten up and show a little compassion. All things, that while the shoe is on the
other foot, I need to remember myself.
I’m very happy to say that over the last six to nine months
God has increased my patience. I’m not
as stressed or running through life as I used to be. The things that would cause me to be in an
uproar don’t affect me in a way or as much as they once did. I’m learning to walk through life with my spiritual
eyes opened to God and realize that not everything needs to be as hard as I
make it out to be. Not everything has to
be done in such a rush and not everything is the end of the world when it’s not
handled right or as I think it should be. Trust me, there are a few things in
my life going on that are the hardest I have ever had to deal with and have
been going on for quite some time, but in and through it all, my God is still
in control.
You know, when I lose my patience I sometimes speak
harshly, out of turn and sometimes even when I should just simply shut my
mouth. Now in my mind I already know
this, but it is now truly starting to resonate within my spirit and take root
in my heart. This is not what God wants
from me, this is not how I am supposed to walk through life and it certainly
does not show the love of Christ through me.
Often times my lack of patience only causes a situation or emotion to
become magnified. Sometimes it’s better to
just be quite for the moment, think on the Lord and ask Him to give me a peace and
the proper way to respond or act.
I am human, so I am a work in progress…still acting out or
on my emotions sometimes, but I can thankfully say that the more I take Christ
in the more peace and patience He restores within me. I shudder to think of where I would be if God
lost His patience with me as I have in the past with others.
“The times we find ourselves having to
wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on
the Lord.” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada
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