Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Patience

I have struggled many times with patience so I have researched high and low for help.

I found a quote from George Horne " Patience Strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride, bridles the tongue, restrains the hands, and trembles upon temptation"

This quote does do a nice job of showing the positive aspect of patience but It didn't help me have patience.

So I found the Serenity Prayer. 
"O God, give us serenity to accept what cannot be changed, courage to change what should be changed, and wisdom to distinguish the one from the other"

That was good, but it only seemed to help while I was saying it!

It wasn't until I read James ch 5 verses 7-11

Patience in Suffering


7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.

that I saw how silly my impatience was. James was pleading with Christians to be patient for something important, the second coming of Jesus. Here I am grumbling over not being able to move ( I wish to relocate) to Jacksboro now, which is simply a side note to the life I live here. When I should keep in mind that without God there would be no Jacksboro to move to. When you are thankful for possibilities it makes waiting for them a pleasure, since we are not promised tomorrow. God bless and remember patience is contagious.

1 comment:

  1. Patience, brother, is a fruit of the Spirit, the product of letting Him have His will over ours. Great word. Keep up the blogging!

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