...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Wishin' Cinderella's Fairy Godmother would pay a visit to your home? Thinkin' the only way the work ahead of you is going to ever get done is if it happens by hearin' a little "bibbity... bobbity... boo"?
That
would be the fastest way. But in waving a wand that could clean your home, organize your life, change your spouse, shed unwanted pounds, or anything else you fancy, something would
still be missing. Your problems would disappear, but the time and effort (and sometimes down right struggle) to get it all done would be gone as well, and you would never gain something
truly valuable... patience.
Traffic jam… waiting room at the doctor's office… line for the women's bathroom… check in the mail... you are to be joyful through your trials. Do you realize you can't get patience any other way? You're not required to have it any other time. You don't need patience when you're running on time. Patience isn't required when there's enough money to pay the bills. You don't have to have patience when everything is going well. You may possess other qualities like love, compassion, generosity, thoughtfulness, faith, humility, humor, or gentleness that you can "take out and use" at any time, but patience... patience is different. Patience is only gained
through trials and struggles. It's called on
only during difficult times. Now, that doesn't mean that it always makes an appearance during a struggle. After all, it's still up to us whether we choose to let ourselves be patient through a difficult circumstance. You still can
choose to wallow in your struggles and be miserable, or, you can rejoice knowing that the Lord is giving you the chance to become more patient. It is a chance that comes by no other way than through trials and difficult times. How will you respond?
Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the trails that I go through to help me become patient. Please give me strength during the times that drag on so that I would be able to endure them. Remind me that while going through those times, You are allowing me the chance to grow into a more patient person, and for that I'm grateful. Patience is a wonderful virtue, and I know there are many times that others have been patient with me. Help me to remember that also when I feel myself feeling anything but love toward another. Help me to wait on You in the answers to my struggles. Thank You for being patient with me Lord. I know that I just couldn't do this on my own. Only through Your strength and help will I get it all done... in Your timing."
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
© 2004 Amy Verlennich
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