Country Lights Uganda Blog
Patience is more than just a word. It’s an action of love toward others and an action of trusting in God.
Patience is a word I have feared for years. I constantly struggled with putting that word into action and living it out in a way that reflects Christ’s example. Recently, as I was sitting in a half empty airport terminal for two hours at a time that I’m normally sleeping, I couldn’t help but notice how my patience fluctuates. Sometimes, I have the ability to sit, be still, and be fully reliant on God and His timing. Other times, I’m constantly looking at the clock and wondering, “When? Why not now?”
We all have our own individual spiritual gifts. Yours may be leadership, showing grace, teaching, or anything similar to that. Many believe that being patient naturally is a spiritual gift. Although it is in its own way, I believe it is more an act of love rather than a spiritual gift.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4 we read, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (NIV) Although this is just a piece of the entire chapter which goes on to talk more about love in action, we can see just how important patience is within the first three words of this verse. Love is patient. While being patient, we are loving others.
I’ve learned that the easiest way to process my impatience and instead develop my patience is to answer the two questions that were stated earlier: When? Why not now? If there is no specific answer, I answer with, “God knows.”
Patience is more than just a word. It’s an action of love toward others and an action of trusting in God. It is also something that is not always easy to develop. It’s totally normal for your patience to develop over time. Patience is also a process. Don’t feel stressed or pressured to immediately go out and try and fix your patience- time, practice, and God’s help are the only things that can truly develop your patience. Be patient while developing your patience
By Alyssa Shipman
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• Love is Patient and Kind – a story of a man on a bus
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The post Patience: A Word with Meaning can be found online at Daily Devotionals by Thoughts about God.
As reported on Christian News Uganda - Access the Original News Source Here.