Are there things in your life that test your patience? Most of us would answer yes. Check out lines that are too long when you are in a hurry. The Internet not coming on or working too slow. Your phone going dead. A slow elevator. Waiting for your order at a restaurant or waiting to be waited on. Tailgaters on the highway. Delayed or cancelled flights at the airport. Waiting for the train or subway. An important piece of mail to arrive. Results of medical tests. Waiting for an appointment in a waiting room. Trying to find someone to help you at your local big box store. A person who talks ugly to you or is mean. Traffic jams or traffic going too slow for your liking. Waiting for it to be morning if you can not fall asleep at night. A flat tire or overheated engine. Perhaps a car that won't start in cold weather for my friends that live up north. Many things happen in life to test our ability to stay patient. Perhaps you were able to identify with one I listed above.
I heard a sermon once that said your 'test' might continue till you are able to master it with a Christian response and not one of anger. Anger does not achieve anything. It simply gets your blood pressure to raise and makes the recipient of your anger angry too. Hand gestures, flashing car lights, saying ugly words, and other ways to react against a person that has caused you to wait do no good. Responding with grace is the best solution.
First of all patience is one of the fruits of the spirit mentioned in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23 when it says "And the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law."
Why not pick an area that you are weak in on the patience meter and try to work on having a godly response? Ask God to help you not be mad, mean, or revengeful and to react instead by being like Christ. Let's say Jesus were at a store and trying to find a clerk. Do you think he would yell and spout off and make a scene? Funny to imagine Jesus this way but I want to make a point. If we claim to know Him we are supposed to be trying to be like him. Anger directed at a clerk is not a good way to witness or show God's love.
Let me end with an awesome verse in James 1:19-20. It is one to memorize to help all your relationships. "This you know my beloved brethren, but let everyone be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to get angry.For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. "
PRAYER: Lord I desire to not let things in this world upset me that I can do nothing about. Give me your strength to keep my mouth closed when I feel like reacting to a certain situation. I choose to try with your help Lord to remain with a peaceful spirit. In Jesus name. Amen.
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