Patience through Delay

This post is going to be hard for me to type, because it is something I struggle with soooo much!

How many of you have ever been around people that drive you crazy because they twiddle their thumbs in line, sigh impatiently, roll their eyes when traffic is backed up, or complain about how long the lines are at DisneyLand in the busiest time of the year?

Well, that person is me. I used to think it was a "personality" trait. Some people are more patient with others. I do think that some people acquire more than others, BUT I do not think that is an excuse for people "like me" to not learn patience.

1. Love is Patient.
For most of us, we tend to think we are good at loving people. We say hi. We wave people in traffic. We smile at the waitress. We tip well. We hug. We say "I love you" to some people...but are we patient with them?

The first word that I Corinthians 13 describes love as is PATIENT. As we know, order is important! Love is Patient. Being patient with people requires that you have patience yourself!

2.Patience can be a result of suffering.
God does not rejoice in our suffering. He rejoices in our patience. He rejoices in what we have learned FROM being patient.

2 Corinthians 1:6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

3. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit.
Patience is something given to us from God already. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,peace, PATIENCE..."
We have already received patience. We just need to activate it in our lives. Currently, mine is inactive, but I am slowly trying to make it a part of my Christian walk.

4. We learn patience through delay.
Many times, waiting on God to do something is very challenging. In the midst of it, we cannot stop wishing that something else would happen. But, would God allow it to happen if we didn't need it? Would God allow us to grow in patience if we already had enough of it? NO! God allows everything for a reason. Enjoy the time. Be thankful that God is teaching you something.Pray that you will learn what He is teaching you!

Psalm 27;14 Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord.


James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm...

Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

Romans 12:2 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Patience

Again-I stole this from someone else. I will blog sometime this week, once it slows down :)

Living life consistently in the fruit of the Spirit takes effort and (some days) hard work. It can be tough because it's, unfortunately, unnatural.

One virtue in particular, patience, can be challenging. Especially the aspect of learning to wait for the best versus settling for the good.

So here are three tips for cultivating patience in your life:

1. Plan for patience. A new motto we've been using in at the studio is "leave margin." "Margin" is simply leaving room in all areas of your life for life to happen at a reasonable pace. Leave margin in your calendar. Leave margin in your workload. Leave margin in your checkbook. Planning for this amazingly breeds patience...leave extra early for an event with your family and you will see what I mean!
2. Practice patience. Patience takes work. Why? Because patience isn't really natural for the 21st century American. Everything is instant...instant rice, instant media, instant messenger, etc. It's amazing how little we wait for things...and heaven help us if we have to wait! Intentionally work at it. Pick a situation each day to practice patience. You're health and your relationships are worth it.
3. Pray for patience. I know that goes against grandma's ancient proverb "never pray for patience" but let's be real. If we truly want to be more like Christ in every virtue it's going to take something supernatural. Christ in our life transforms us from the inside out. Allow the Holy Spirit to make you prone to patience.

"The end of a matter is better than its beginning. So it's better to be patient than proud." Ecclesiastes 7:8, NIrV

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