When I developed this lesson, I thought back on our son learning the piano and the countless times I have said “Do your scales, Caleb. You need to stretch your fingers. Eventually, your joints will become supple and you will become an expert pianist.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that your hard work paid off? It will! Whatever you put into practice, the time and effort will eventually show. There will be a return on your investment.
The Believer’s life involves a lot of necessary practice in the mundane things to develop the skills necessary to master life’s deep challenges.
What you do with the Bible will determine what God does with you!
Patience is not my strength. Just place me in a long line and see how fast I quit.
How do we practice being patient in life when figuratively, the long line represents a bleak outlook and an unclear horizon; when more problems are in the view of your periscope and there IS nothing more you can do except wait?
With God, there is always more we can do!
Just from reading verses in the Bible that encouraged my own heart today, I have developed three key areas that will empower you to practice patience.
On another note, patience in our world is diminishing. We control what we watch and listen to remotely. We eat on the run. Concise texting has its advantages however, our vocabulary and communication skills lack the polish required to grow and develop as God intended us to be.
It is going to take work to develop into a mature believer, but it is worth the persistence and patience.
The first element toward practicing patience is to:
Be Careful: Stop Worrying
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
There is a blank canvas under the canopy of nothingness. Being careful or worrying about nothing would be bliss. Yet according to Scripture, worrying about nothing is an achievable concept in the mature Christian’s life.
Carrying our worries, stress, and daily struggles by ourselves, shows that we have not trusted God fully with our life. It takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares, to admit your need, and to allow others in His family to help you.
Letting God have your worries is active – not passive. Do not submit to circumstances, but to the Lord, who controls circumstances.
So get that antique fishing pole out today and, “Cast thy burdens upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 65:22
Not worrying takes practice, but it is achievable!
The second element toward practicing patience is to be content. I’ll continue with this lesson tomorrow.
From the Heart of Deborah Choma
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