Patience

Patience is one of the things in my life that I struggle with immensely. I am not a patient person by any stretch of the imagination, I get frustrated easily and often times overreact. I am very aware that this is an area of my life in which I struggle and it is something that I have to constantly lay at the feet of God and ask him to change my attitude and my heart, and give me patience in all my relationships and in all that I do. As Christian women we ought to be seeking to reflect God in our lifestyles. The Bible speaks often to Patience as one of God’s many qualities. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. If God can be so patient with me as a sinner and with all of us than I certainly ought to be able to be patient with others. And the Bible specifically calls us as believers to be patient. Galatians 5 lists patience as one of the fruits of the Spirit, which are all characteristics that should be evident in the life of a believer. Of course the standard of patience is one that I will always fall short of but is one that I will continue to pursue as I strive to grow more in faith everyday and although I know that allowing God to transform our hearts is not always an easy or enjoyable process it is a necessary one. The Bible speaks about patience in many different places but one that has always stood out to me is found in Colossians 3:12-13 which says "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." I'll leave you with that verse and with this reminder to be patient with yourselves as well :) “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them– every day begin the task anew.” ~ Francis de Sales In Christ, Sarah