Patience Pays
I do not consider myself patient. I do feel like I’m improving in a lot of areas. I still have a long way to go being patient in heavy traffic. My wife can tell stories on me. I’m not a road rage guy, but I would rather drive 30 minutes out of the way to keep from sitting in traffic. Lately, I’ve been using my vehicle as a classroom and listing to podcasts that are helping me grow and a side result is that I’m not as impatient with the traffic.
I am also not patient when I’m in pain or when I’m suffering. I want relief from pain and suffering as soon as possible. The Lord NEVER wastes pain and suffering to teach me more about Him. In fact, I believe He teaches me things during times of pain, struggle and suffering that I might not learn at any other time. Check this out….
7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. (James 5:7-8;10-11 NLT)
When the “Great recession” hit around 10 years ago, I remember thinking of Job. There were so many good people who were suffering financially to the point of losing nearly everything they had. I remember thinking, I was about to be one of them. This was a hard profession (Real Estate) to be in when the recession, caused in large part by the crash of the housing market hit the US in full force. I was forced to really be clear on the things that mattered most to me. My walk with the Lord grew deeper and my relationship with my family grew as well. I’ve learned that things are just things. People are eternal. I want to build a strong and deep relationship with the Lord. I want to keep growing and expanding on my relationships with people. I want to be strong in the midst of suffering and struggle. I want to be there with others who are suffering or struggling. I want others to see that patience does pay off. Patience is a great classroom for the Master Teacher to cover His best material.
Pressing On!
Dwayne