TODAY’S VERSES:

Ephesians 4:1-2 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love

Are you a patient person? How do you feel when you have to wait in a long, slow moving line? How about when a sibling or friend is using something that you want to use and you must “wait your turn”? How about when the internet connection is slow and your YouTube video is taking forever to start playing or, even worse, it keeps freezing? If you get upset during any of these, or similar, situations it is because you are not being patient.

Patient is defined as able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. Impatient is defined as having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked.

There are many verses in the Bible that describe how believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will have problems and suffering in this life. The Bible tells us that we should not worry about any of those things because the Lord has a perfect plan and has everything under control.

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

If you read Kids’ Corner every month, you have heard that we are commanded by God to share His love with others. Well, the Bible says that love is patient and is not easily provoked.        

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered

Last month we discussed the importance of being kind and how kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. We explained that in order to be kind, we must rely on the power of God the Holy Spirit vs that of the flesh. The only way we can do this is to develop a relationship with and trust in God, both built by reading your Bible and praying, every day. Well, guess what? Patience is also a fruit of the Spirit and so we can pray for help to be patient, as well. Phew…thank God!

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Here’s something for you to consider the next time you are being impatient with someone or a situation. How often do people have to be patient with you? Most importantly, how patient has GOD been, and continue to be, with you?

Psalm 103:8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.