Patience

Proverbs 25:15 Devotion (05-25) Patience

PATIENCE

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Good morning Family.  Let us rise and give God the glory. Today's devotion focuses on patience. The scripture reading is taken from Proverbs 25:15 and reads: Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone (NIV).

Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious (Dictionary.com). Another word that is used for patience is forbearance. Patience can be a challenging attribute for us all at times and we exercise it depending on circumstance. What is your response to long traffic lines or someone slowing cashing or unpacking the groceries at the supermarket. The exercise of patience is not a one-time event even if it is with the same person in different circumstances.

Is there a coworker that if they said another word to you would ignite a confrontation or is there a family member or spouse that exhibits traits that are not what you would deem acceptable. Holding back from speaking while “stewing” or holding anger and resentment in your heart is not patience. Even as I type, the holy spirit is revealing my own shortcomings in this regard.

Patience is not just with people but with circumstances to change or doors to swing open or remain shut. Our actions in the period when we should be exercising patience is critical. Do we pray about the circumstance or the people and the situation? Remember, that we should bring all things in prayer to the Lord. There is nothing too small or great that our Lord cannot handle. He wants to be an integral part of even what we consider the simple or small mundane things in life.

In this period, we need to guard our ears from what others are saying and how we should respond. We should be careful that we don’t even allow our cultural norms of what our response should be. We are not walking as they walk; we are called to be a reflection of Jesus and as such a higher standard is required.

Let us look within ourselves and ask God to address the issue of patience. Your lack of patience can also be an indicator of other things that need addressing. Let us recognise our triggers and seek the help of the Lord. Remember that patience is part of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). So, by exercising patience along with prayer we see that we can have a positive effect on even those in high places once we are doing so in kindness. Over a period of time our patience and gentle words can have bone-breaking power.

Come join me in prayer.  Dear Heavenly Father we give sacrifice of praise unto you this day and ask for forgiveness of our impatience.  Lord, give us a heart to walk after You and exercise patience according to the fruit of the spirit, in Jesus’ name Amen.