This is supposed to be the season to spread joy, where we act a little kinder, and we are a little nicer. It is unfortunate that it takes a time of the year for that to occur, but that is another issue.
Today I want to talk about those of us who are impatient. We are all a little impatient with people who seemingly do what we think are stupid things. I know I fall into that category. Take a driver who waits until the last second to get over to exit or the driver who is turning left but then wants to turn right. Then we have those people who do not pay attention and just cut in front of you or the almost knock you over. All of those things drive me crazy and I end up saying or doing something that is just as dumb.
2 Corinthians 6:3-10 New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s Hardships
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
While I am supposed to represent Christ, I end up doing the exact opposite by the way I behave when I become impatient with others. None of us are saints, but we should strive to be better than we are. If we can change just a little how we act in regards to being patient with others, then we might end up also being a little kinder.
I pray for patience and I know that when I make this prayer that God will put those things in my path that will test my patience. I also know that He will not give me more than I can handle, but as I become more patient, He will give me more challenges. If you are having troubles with being patient, I urge you to ask God to help you. Just be prepared for when He does, because it will test your limits at times.