1 Corinthians 13:4-7- "LOVE IS PATIENT and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
What do most people think about patience? Let's consult the dictionary! The definition of patience in the dictionary is:
1. The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
2. An ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay
Mostly that is saying that patience is the ability to be able to handle difficult situations without getting frustrated immediately. How long should we be patient? How long should we wait on God? It is very difficult to wait on God and to go along with His timeline, but the Bible tells us that if we love Him, we will be patient with Him. Just think about how patient He is with us!
"The most important thing I would say to anyone is a person HAS to have gone through the transformation of really becoming a 'new creation'...giving God your WHOLE life, trusting Him, that He knows what is best for you, because He is our Father, and He loves us.Just imagine how patient God is with us. He watches us with sadness in His heart when we screw up, or lie, or cheat...you know...sin. He hurts because He wants the best for us...just like a parent. Soooo, just think about how much pain He goes through every second of every day." -Pam Hughes
If you are in a situation right now that requires patience, one thing that helps is to really consider the amazing patience God has with all of His children. Also, know and BELIEVE that God will be faithful to you if you obey Him and serve Him to the best of your ability. He loves you so much, that He will answer your prayers if you remain faithful. But, remember that it will be on His own time, in His own way.
"Love is patient; it is not our place to rush someone or be rushed into anything or out of anything! patience is a virtue!" -Sarah Hoard
The Bible tells us that love is expressed through our actions. If there is anyone today that you need to have patience with, pray about it, know that God will be faithful, and love them by being patient with them always, even when there isn't much of a result right away.
Pslam 27:14- "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."
-Jenna Hampton
with Pam Hughes and Sarah Hoard
2. An ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay
ReplyDeleteTruth is sooooo frustrating and convicting sometimes :)
Jenna, you are 'right on'. Being in God's waiting room is very difficult, but going ahead of Him is scary. I don't know the way, but He does.
ReplyDeletePam, what you had to say is so true. Thanks for your input, Pam & Sarah. I know Jenna appreciates it.