trbccoffeebreak

“But You O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15 (ESV)

Who would really pray for patience?  And yet, we’ve probably all done that haven’t we?  We find ourselves in challenging and difficult situations with patience running on empty.  We feel stretched beyond our capabilities and impatience rears its ugly head.  Perhaps we’re showing someone how to do a new task at work, and they’re simply not getting it.  We explain. We walk them through the steps.  Yet, their lack of getting it wears us down.  Maybe we’re walking alongside someone as they face challenges and their repetitive resistance to doing life God’s way shortchanges our patience. We grow weary.  We give up.

Patience is definitely not easy, especially if we are relying on self.  Our human nature exhausts quickly when the going gets tough.  We’re so accustomed to quick, ease and fast to the point that patience seems foreign.  We simply don’t stretch those muscles enough.  So when patience is required, we just don’t think we can do it.

Webster defines patience as bearing pains or trials calmly without complaint.  Not exactly where we like to land is it?  Read that definition a little further and it states patience is being steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity.  Perhaps this is the reason we forego patience because complaint easily rises to the surface when someone else just isn’t getting it or making the right choices.  And being steadfast, unmoveable, unshakeable in the face of opposition well that’s more than we bargained for right?

Sweet friends while we can’t wrap our minds around this idea of patience and steadfast faithfulness, the psalmist reminds us our God exemplifies it beautifully.  When I think about the way God endures my hasty reactions, impetuous responses, and unwillingness to see beyond the moment I’m amazed.  He is the best teacher who never gives up on His students.  Our God never grows weary or tired because He sees the potential underneath the surface, and He lovingly waits for us. His anger is only directed at sin and not the sinner as He patiently waits for their return.

Best example ever is to follow in God’s footsteps.  When patience is slipping through our fingers, we would be wise to remember His mercy and grace.  Dig in a little deeper and go the distance to ensure someone else is loved the way He loves us.  Forego our tendency to seek comfort and give God our full attention as He teaches us how to willingly forbear with others.  And when adversity strikes, we can steadfastly hold on to our God and exchange complaints for praise of His presence in the moment.

Who would really pray for patience?  Well if we’re truthful, we all need to pray that we would reflect the patient, long-suffering mercy of our God.  Abounding in love and grace are just the right ways we need to respond to others.

“Father with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can follow in Your footsteps and honor You by being patient with others in the same way You have shown patience to us.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life