At the start of 2017, I decided I would pick a character quality to work on each month in order to keep myself growing continuously into the person I strive to be. January it was renew, all about starting fresh and forgiving. In February it was love, loving others and loving life. Of course with love in mind you immediately drift to that passage in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 that you hear at about every wedding: "Love is patient, love is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4). Yeah, you know the one. But, throughout the month of February I kept coming back to the "love is patient" part. I realized the times I often forgot to show love to the people I care about is often when I'm being very inpatient.
Patience is something I have always struggled with, and I think many people can relate. Some people would say I'm very patient when it comes to young children and teaching others, but I realized I was lacking patience in so many other aspects of my life. This month, I decided to dedicate to Patience. Having it on my mind more often, has made me more alert and also less stressed. It all comes to back to sometimes just letting go and being patient.
I realized that while I may have patience with younger children, I can defiantly lack patience among my peers and adults. I lose patience and get frustrated when people don't listen to me and it just makes me angry. If I'm trying to explain something or give directions and no one is listening to me or giving me any respect, it's annoying not the have people's respect. But, what's getting louder and angrier going to do about it? It's not going to make things better. Sure, they might listen to me, but my harsh tone and snippy words only drive a wedge in the relationship. Now, I think we call all agree, getting angry gets us nowhere. Just a simple reminder for me to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and meditate on patience can help you handle a situation much more calmly and collectedly.
Think about your dreams, goals, and hopes for your future. Think back to just a few years ago how you pictured you life would be. Often that vision isn't going to match up with the life you are currently living. How does that make you feel? On one hand you can look at all the blessings you have currently and how life has turned out great even by going in a different direction. On the other hand, you feel frustrated and disappointed that you can't have whatever you wanted right now.
Goals are a good thing- I'm not saying they're bad, but when you set expectations and dates you won't be happy for right now. I've said in the past, "I want to be married by 24 and have 4 kids by the time I'm 30." I have now realized the danger in that. Because, sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. I don't want to rush just to make a goal and not get something better, just because I couldn't wait. I don't want to be disappointed because somethings not happening right now. The hardest test in life is having the patience to wait for the right moment.
I encourage you over the next few weeks to remind yourself to have patience. I've found just having it on your mind gives you the grace to be more patient in all kinds of situations. Patience isn't something I've mastered. I'm still striving daily, but I have been given the grace of God to remind myself to be more patient.
Patience is something I have always struggled with, and I think many people can relate. Some people would say I'm very patient when it comes to young children and teaching others, but I realized I was lacking patience in so many other aspects of my life. This month, I decided to dedicate to Patience. Having it on my mind more often, has made me more alert and also less stressed. It all comes to back to sometimes just letting go and being patient.
I realized that while I may have patience with younger children, I can defiantly lack patience among my peers and adults. I lose patience and get frustrated when people don't listen to me and it just makes me angry. If I'm trying to explain something or give directions and no one is listening to me or giving me any respect, it's annoying not the have people's respect. But, what's getting louder and angrier going to do about it? It's not going to make things better. Sure, they might listen to me, but my harsh tone and snippy words only drive a wedge in the relationship. Now, I think we call all agree, getting angry gets us nowhere. Just a simple reminder for me to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and meditate on patience can help you handle a situation much more calmly and collectedly.
Think about your dreams, goals, and hopes for your future. Think back to just a few years ago how you pictured you life would be. Often that vision isn't going to match up with the life you are currently living. How does that make you feel? On one hand you can look at all the blessings you have currently and how life has turned out great even by going in a different direction. On the other hand, you feel frustrated and disappointed that you can't have whatever you wanted right now.
Goals are a good thing- I'm not saying they're bad, but when you set expectations and dates you won't be happy for right now. I've said in the past, "I want to be married by 24 and have 4 kids by the time I'm 30." I have now realized the danger in that. Because, sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. I don't want to rush just to make a goal and not get something better, just because I couldn't wait. I don't want to be disappointed because somethings not happening right now. The hardest test in life is having the patience to wait for the right moment.
I encourage you over the next few weeks to remind yourself to have patience. I've found just having it on your mind gives you the grace to be more patient in all kinds of situations. Patience isn't something I've mastered. I'm still striving daily, but I have been given the grace of God to remind myself to be more patient.
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