Life - An Education in Patience

I have finished by 1st run through studying about patience, but the process is a continuous. You can control what you say and do, but you cannot control how someone else will respond. I have been trying my best to apply this education to every part of my life.

 I have stated this more than once in my head and wondered why things weren't really going my way. It was only until I truly waited for God to answer did things begin to make sense and begin to work themselves out.

What I have also found is that although you believe that your patience has improved, those around you may not believe it has.  I press you to continue in your journey, it will soon avail itself to them and they will see your change.  And it may even show them that they may need to look at themselves as well.

I do have to admit that it has not been easy. I must admit that if it was not for my mother, I would not have been able to withstand the trials I have gone through over the past several months.  I still have a few hurdles to overcome, but she is still behind me supporting me and giving me unbiased advise. I will come back to this topic as its significance arises as life goes along.

Patience

Being patient is not easy. Especially when it seems you have already waited a lifetime or the situation that you are currently experiencing seems unbearable. I have learned by reading, praying and talking to others that  although it seems like this "hole" that I am in continues to get deeper, I am gaining insight to help me in other obstacles that I may encounter down the road.

I have learned to pray and garner any help and guidance I can from all sources. By chance I came across a little book called "God's Wisdom for you Every Need." This has been a great help to me in those times when I really need a quick education in not giving up or how to respond in a particular situation.

I have also learned a great deal about myself in the ongoing process. Although I have been patient, at times, I may not have been patient enough.  I need to wait that additional second, minute, hour, day, etc. longer that I may want to.

My first prayer in my knowledge quest was this: Lord, being patient isn't easy. I have my agenda for when things should happen -- and I'm frustrated and resentful when they don't. Patience will come to me, though, when I'm truly surrendered to you -- so here I am, God. Do what You want in my life, in Your time, in Your way. Amen
(Light for my Path)

I know I have much more to learn and am eager to continue.

Life - An Education in Patience

Life gets complicated at the most unexpected and what seems like the worst times. I have been told that its not what life throws at you, but how you respond to what life throws you.

Recently I have had several setbacks in my professional career, which as expected, effects my private/personal life.  I hit me hard because everything in my life has generally "progressed as planned." Now everything in my life has not been perfect, but the little bumps in the road have been relatively easy to navigate.  This most recent curve life has thrown me hasn't been as easy to navigate.  Mainly because it is not just me that is effected.  I now have a family and so I feel responsible for the effect this is having on them.  Also others hold the key as to how things will progress and all I can do is await their decision.

I have to admit the past 9 months have not been easy for me.  I am used to being in control or I should say I thinking I was in control of my life. My current situation has shown me that no one is ever in control of their lives because you can never control what others do or how they respond to things you do. I believe that God is  teaching me patience.

What does this really mean? Webster's Dictionary defines as the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties. One bible dictionary defines it  as an active endurance of opposition, not a passive resignation. It is endurance, steadfastness, long-suffering, and forbearance.

Married Life

Communication

James 3:13-15

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

Wisdom – Enables one to face trials with "pure joy." Wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications.

The solution for the problem of controlling our tongues is to seek divine wisdom. The person who possesses godly wisdom will meekly show it with works, not just words. That is, believers should be slow to speak. If you have worldly wisdom, which is nothing more than self-interest don't boast about it. Don't just be slow to speak; rather, don't speak lies at all. If wisdom displays itself apart from good conduct and meekness, it is not from above. In fact, it is characterized as earthly, wise by the world's standards, sensual, meaning natural as distinguished from spiritual, and demonic.

Whatever camps in your heart, is going to be on your tongue.

Ephesians 5:4

⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 4:29

²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Grace - unearned, unmerited favor or blessing.

This means that when we talk to our life partners, there is to be purity in our speech. Our words are to be gentle, reasonable-ready to yield-not always insisting on our own way, our own viewpoint. 
Reasonable speech is full of kindness and mercy. Our goal should be to build up others, especially our life partners.

Before we speak, we need to take time to think about what is most appropriate. In other words, what does my husband need to hear at this particular time or what words would particularly benefit my wife at this moment?

James 4:1-2

 ¹What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (NIV)

The conflict within us is between our sinful desires for pleasure (material things) and the desire for God's will, an attitude the Holy Spirit has placed within us.

Have you ever been hurt because your husband or wife didn't meet your expectations? Did you want something-only to be refused? You wanted to be loved, understood, comforted, encouraged, or held, but your spouse seemed either unwilling or unable to meet your need. You sent out all the right signals, but they weren't received. Did it leave you feeling a little nettled, maybe a little angry?

We then proceed to shoot our mates as we let loose with both barrels filled with hateful, spiteful, angry words. We murder our mates with the buckshot of iron verbs.

Galatians 5:16-24

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The desires of our flesh are at odds with what the Holy Spirit desires for us: to be free from sin. Living by the promptings and power of the Spirit is the key to conquering sinful desires.


References:

Good Communication Begins With the Heart

March 3, 2009

http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/explore-the-bible/11600256.html

Kay Arthur
Host, Precepts For Life
Co-CEO, Precept Ministries International

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary

The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan