Sunday Drive - Love is Patient

Patience is the first adjective Paul used to describe love when he wrote to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

I wonder if he knew that it was one of the more difficult character traits to achieve. Patience is also listed 4th in line of the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

I believe that this quality is still important today in all people. We have become such an instant society that we barely have to wait for anything. Our patience levels have become so low. We have microwaves that cook instantly. We can instantly send a text message.  We can even research a topic in minutes on a computer. 

However fast and instant life can be we also need to develop patience. The Lord desires this for us and wants to see us grow in this.

Have you observed patient people? They seem to stay calm during frustrating situations, lengthy wait times, or even dealing with difficult people.

It's amazing what we have patience for... We can wait in an hour long line at an amusement park for a 2 minute ride, but have a hard time waiting at red light that just turned green and the person in front of you hasn't budged.

Have you examined your own patience level? How do you respond to difficulties? Or do you just react?

Patience is not one of those attributes that has come easily to me... I have struggled and struggled.

I'm sure you've heard people say, "Oh! Don't pray for patience, God might answer your prayer!" Thinking God is going to subject you to some severe struggle or difficulty. I don't think God has patience bombs ready to drop on you.

Yet, trials are not optional in this life. Life happens, it shows us things about ourselves and encourages us grow.  (Whether we like it or not.)

1 Peter 1:6 (NLT)
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

My daughter wrote a phrase on our refrigerator when she was here last and it has stuck with me.

Progress > (greater than) Perfection

The Lord wants us to grow, make progress. He doesn't expect perfection. 

Patience is a vital part of love and everyday living. 

Let's grow in love, and grow in patience. 

Here's the next verse after 1 Peter 1:6...

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Think about your patience level, next time you are frustrated that your food is taking too long at a restaurant, or someone in front of you is moving at a snails pace when you are in a rush. Take a breath and pray, asking The Lord to help you be patient. Ask Him to help you show love and grace to people. 

We could all use a bit more patience.

Blessings,
Lori