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Do you know someone who seems to never get upset about happenings that come their way? They always appear to come through a time of problems unscathed. What is it with these people? They have learned patience. The King James Version of the Bible uses a descriptive term that I really like-long-suffering.

The Apostle James tells us something that we sometimes forget.

“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the LORD. As you know, we consider blessed those who persevered.” (James 5:10-11a, NIV)

He reminds us to study the prophets of God in order to understand the concept of patience.

Do we see patience being used in our 21Century? Maybe, not as much as we would like.

How can we model patience for those who watch us? We have to rely upon God’s grace to fully understand how this works. Contentment also comes into play for several of us. If we are content with who we are in the Lord, we will be more willing to wait for Him to take care of our needs.

There are times in our lives we have to take the high road, be the bigger person, and practice patience.

Some examples of instances of practicing patience:

We wait in a waiting room to be seen by our doctor. (I try to take a book with me.)

We are held up in traffic as we travel to work or to a sporting event. (I look at the area around me, quickly pray for those who live and work in the area.)

We stand in line at a store checkout and notice the customer two ahead us has a problem with getting his or her order checked out. (I sometimes people watch.’)

We wait at an intersection for the light to turn green. (There again, I pray for the people or the businesses in the area.)

What does the Apostle Paul have to say about patience?

“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:11-12, NIV)

He told the Colossian believers they were strengthened. The Lord’s measure of giving them strength was according to his glorious might. God lavished His followers with all grace and wisdom He intends for us. How do we benefit from this strength? that you may have great endurance and patience, When a believer goes through a trial, he or she chooses how they react to the circumstance. We can either opt for a cool-head and display patience or we can become angry over something that could have been a part of what a friend of mine calls a life sequence-an issue that happens because that circumstance is a part of life. The interesting part of these “issues of life” is they are situations that can come with life. We have to learn to deal with them as Christians.

Prayer:

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen*

________

*The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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