KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT: PATIENCE
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace patience…
Galatians 5:22 (NLT)
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him and doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you."
John 14:16-17 (NLT)
I remember a professor who told our class a hilarious story. One of his friends told him he must have a lot of patience. Our professor admitted he was feeling really good about himself until his friend finished his sentence. He said You must have a lot of patience because I never see you use any. We all laughed! Unfortunately, I could relate. God revealed to me that when it came to patience, I had some room to grow. I don't always live with a Holy Spirit kind of patience. Sometimes I'm impatient with people. I find myself impatient when I have to wait for something. I can grit my teeth and do my best, but God desires that patience become central to who I am.
Today's passages remind us that the Holy Spirit is in us (which means patience is always available). He is our Advocate (He fights for us, so we don't have to fight for or defend ourselves). And He will never leave us (so patience is an unlimited commodity). I'm really starting to like today's Scriptures!
How patient are you?
I wish I could snap my fingers and become patient. I wish there were some magical formula to make it happen. That's obviously not the case, or we'd all be doing it! Thankfully, there is hope for impatient people like us. Thankfully, it's not something we have to work at on our own. Instead, the Holy Spirit cultivates patience in us. As we're honest with ourselves and God about our lack of patience, God's Spirit changes us from the inside out.
APPLICATION: Be honest with yourself and with God about your lack of patience. Consider people and situations that trigger your impatience. Ask God for a greater awareness of what's going on inside you during those times, and consider your true motives. When you feel impatience beginning to surface, stop. Breathe. Then, wait 60 seconds before you respond. Cultivating this practice could be a great rescue!
PRAYER: Father, thank You for being patient with me. Thank You that You never give up on me. I pray You'll develop patience in me that grows day by day and lasts forever. I yield to the work of the Spirit. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?