Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthian 13:4-7
I have always had a lot of admiration for people who have patience, beyond my comprehension. God has to work overtime on me and others that fall into the same category. An inner battle rages between what I discern to be my problem versus the explicit instruction of the Word of God. For instance, one of the virtues of 1 Corinthians 13 is “Love is patient.” When I have been in the hospital, or I am in a doctor’s office, I am a “patient”. (Please do not ask others to describe my “patience” as a patient.)
In the Word of God we are directed to be “patient”. Obviously I am to learn to discipline myself in this area. God has a reason for my experience of the moment. In observance of that moment of my frustration, I must remind myself of the possibilities that exist. Some of my friends become “explosive” in traffic conditions created by some “moron” only to discover later that instead of them, it was him who created the problem.
Is it not possible that the current experience is a lesson from the Lord? Is He challenging you, (or me) to utilize that moment to discipline us to the likeness of our Savior, Jesus Christ? The songwriter put the words in obvious verse when saying: “More like the Master I would ever be, more of His likeness, more humility!”
I am certain that you probably have read or heard how Jesus, hanging on Calvary’s cross repeated words that were prophesied in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, along with other references. Under such circumstances would you or I be described as the weavings to be explicit experiences to epitomize patience? He did!
Thankfully, our lot in life will, in all probability, not be that gruesome under any circumstances. Practice the art of patience and life will more enjoyable, a lot less stressful; and it will not only be for you, but for all of those with whom you have contact.
ETCetera 