Patience

Colossians 3:12  "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9  "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,  for anger resides in the lap of fools."

        If you know me at all, you know 'patience' is not my gift nor do I pretend it to be.  Patience is a daily struggle of mine.  I am able to say I have a better grasp on it now than my younger days, but I recognize the fact that I will never master it in this life.  I blog on the topic of patience often, because of my own need to work on this characteristic of God in my life.  

       Philippians 2:14-16  " Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.  And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain."

        Sometimes I wonder how God is using my disease as a way to build faith qualities within me, not just frustration.  His patience with me to learn patience is amazing, to say the least.  CMT, my disease, makes me wait in so many ways.  As I am typing now, I have to stop and wait for my arm to rest before I can type any more.  It's a test of patience with myself... will I rest and continue or just give up on the project completely?

       "More important than the awaited goal is the work God does in us while we wait.  Waiting deepens and matures us, levels our perspective, and broadens our understanding." [J.C. Maxwell]

        God's patience with each of us is beyond our understanding.  None of us would wait on others or ourselves, like God does, on any matter.  "Since God is a patient God, when we abandon patience we miss the opportunity to show our world the glory of God through our lives." [odb.org]  Philippians 1:6 promises "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  When I contemplate my failures with patience, this promise encourages me that God isn't finished with me yet.

        Romans 12:12 reminds me to "Be patient in tribulation."  I'm not saying it's easy, but God has a plan with a purpose.  So we must pray for direction to submit to His plan, patience to wait and endure well with His plan, and knowledge to know His plan above our own.

        May we all pray for the patience to endure times of trial, to keep anticipating, keep hoping, keep believing in the promises of God.  Pray for patience to be patient.

3 Areas to Control Our Patience Through [intouch.org]

1] Thoughts. It is important that we shift our attention away from the circumstance and onto the Lord. His Spirit will help us gain the right perspective.

2] Emotions. When the Holy Spirit oversees our feelings and reactions, we will find ourselves becoming calmer. Then He will empower us to respond in a godly manner.

3] Speech. Asking Him to help us have self-control over our tongue is essential. A timely word can defuse a situation; speaking defensively or shouting angrily at the other person can inflame it (Prov. 15:18).

 

Compassion

Lamentations 3:22 "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."

Ephesians 4:32  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

1 Peter 3:8-9 " Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."


        "The definition of compassion is a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is hurting, in pain, or has misfortune and is accompanied by a strong desire to help the suffering. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of someone with true compassion. Not only did Jesus have compassion and heal people from physical suffering, he also showed the greatest compassion for mankind when He died on the cross for our sins." [biblestudytools.org]
         Psalm 86:15  "But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."  We are often quicker to judge others first, before showing any compassion.  Oh, but for the grace of God go I.  We must remember that we are all sinners and we are not all at the same place in our spiritual walk with God.  Compassion is grace in action towards others.  "While his compassion can be thwarted by disobedience, there are times when his disobedient people's only hope is that his compassion overcomes his anger."
          Compassion is understanding the troubles of others and reaching out in love, not condemnation.  The greatest example of this is found in Jesus on the cross in Luke 23:34 "Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  When we have felt wronged by another, can we first consider another's needs before our own?   Jesus knew that the need for Him to die for our sins was greater than what He had to suffer through.  
                  Compassion is an attribute of God and of Christ-followers.  God's compassion's are faithful and new every morning.  As part of the Church, we should point others to the path of Christ in whatever their needs may be--spiritual direction and/or material goods-with compassionate action that is freely and tenderly given.  How do we express compassion to others?  First, begin with the right attitude.  A non-judgmental attitude will make you more approachable.  Secondly, kindness will make your words or deeds more acceptable.  Thirdly, gentleness is more effective than any harsh word.  understanding the troubles of
When you see someone in need,
Love demands a loving deed;
Don't just say you love him true,
Prove it by the deeds you do. —Sper

What Changed?

2 Thessalonians 3:16  "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!"

Philippians 4:11  "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."


      Life is a series of ever-changing circumstances, both good and bad.  Change is inevitable and sometimes we have to humble ourselves to a new low.  Low points can bring great joy tho, with the right attitude and gratitude.  "Conditions around us will fluctuate, but if we belong to Christ, He’ll use every situation to accomplish His will, in and through us. Even when we face matters of life and death, we can share Paul’s desire—that Christ would be exalted in us, whether through life or death." [intouch.org]
      Would you change your past or present state of circumstance, if you could?  Many of us would, but 'Thank God' that our power is limited.  He is in control, not our minuscule view.  "Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure joy to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things." [Corrie Ten Boom]
        Is your focus on your circumstances?  When we concentrate our minds on our situation, it can become larger than life, both in our minds and reactions towards it.  "Anxiety comes when we look at our circumstances and then 'our' ability, but faith comes when we look at our circumstances and then 'God's' ability."  "Ships don't sink because of the water 'around' them, ships sink because of the water that gets 'in' them.  Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down."
        What if, we realigned our focus on God's presence with us and His never-changing attributes.  God is good ALL THE TIME and ALL THE TIME God is good!  God never ceases being full of grace and mercy.  He is ALWAYS kind, just, patient, loving, present, all-knowing, holy, righteous, sovereign, eternal, incomparable, incorruptible, infinite and more than we can describe.
         As for my personal state of circumstance, there is more joy than heartache in the waiting to be called Home.  I won't make light of the discomfort in losing my physical freedom within this body, but I know my soul will go on after this body has passed.  So, I focus on what makes my soul happy, with respect to God's will for my life.  I believe Jesus came to give us life to the fullest, so its my calling to glorify Him in all I do...whether its soaking up the sun outside, doing a breathing treatment, or taking my air on/off while visiting with friends.
        'Be still and know that I am God' is a practical way to see your circumstance as, in His control and part of His plans.  He won't give us more than we can bear, even when we question.  We can be joyful knowing, whatever circumstance that we are in, that it is temporary and will pass to another state of existence or to eternity.
        "Our eyes are to be focused on the Lord, not on our circumstances. We are to live above the shadows of fear and bask in the sunlight of faith. Even though we, like Habakkuk, may have a long list of troubles, faith’s answer to disappointment must always be: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (v.18). That type of attitude will enable us to live above the circumstances instead of under them." [odb.org]


If in every circumstance, we turn to Jesus.. we will always find Him there.  

Obedience

Psalm 32:8-10   "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;  I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule,  which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him."

Psalm 128:1  " Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him."

Jeremiah 7:23  " Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you."

Psalm 119:33-34  "Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart."


      We all struggle with obedience and we never out grow this weakness, derived from our sin nature.  We hopefully improve, but we will never master it here in this life.  Our obedience falters due to procrastination, busyness, laziness, worldliness, doubt and selfish desires.  When we surrender our lives to Christ, we make a commitment to follow His ways in obedience, the best we can.

      "A life of surrender says, “God, whatever, whenever, wherever, and however You want it, my answer is yes.”  A willing response to each of these divine calls prepares the believer for God’s call to accountability. Scripture tells us that every person will experience a day of judgment. For those who refused God’s invitation to salvation, it will mean wrath and eternal separation from the Lord. For God’s children, it will be a day in which our response to His call on our lives will be evaluated. Only those things done at His direction and in His way will matter when that time comes; everything else will count for nothing (Ps. 127:1-2).
intouch.org

       Often our obedience is compromised with trying to negotiate with God's commands.  We honor God with our complete obedience.  He isn't interested in our excuses or questions of why, He wants willing compliance.  "We sometimes choose not to obey the Lord completely. Then we try to justify our own sinful behavior by telling ourselves that it doesn’t really matter to God, or that other Christians are far more sinful than we are. But God demands total obedience."  [odb.org]

       God has a plan for our eternal good, and it is foolish not to obey Him.  As for myself, I compare my obedience to God with following my doctor's orders.  I first try to negotiate, is this an order or a recommendation?  I know he is looking out for me, but how serious is he about this?  Can I substitute this for that?  How long do I have to continue with this?  Whether or not I follow is my decision, but it will also be my consequence to suffer or be blessed.  "You can develop the strength to obey God by staying in close fellowship with Him, relying on the Holy Spirit, and trusting Him for your every need." odb.org

To say we follow Jesus Christ
Without attempting to obey
Reveals our lack of faith that He
Will lead us right in every way. —Sper

 3 Principles of Obedience [intouch.org]

1. Compliance in small matters has eternal significance and leads to blessings from God.  Wouldn’t you rather follow Him out of love than out of fear?

2. Following Jesus is always beneficial to others.  When we live out biblical principles, our families will be enriched, and those within our circle of influence will be encouraged to follow our example. And as we share how God responds to our obedience with His goodness, others may be motivated to seek after His Son Jesus.

3. God may tell us to respond or act in ways that make little sense. The Lord told Noah to build an ark, instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, and directed Joshua to conquer Jericho through silent marching on six days and shouting on the seventh. All of these men agreed to God’s plan even though it did not make sense. Their trust in God overruled any concerns and led to great reward.