Patience.
Every day, I am challenged to practice patience. I constantly want things to happen immediately and expect instantaneous change. I forget that this is not exactly how life always works. With each day I’m given, I am reminded that I can’t and won’t always have my way. That’s alright.
Patience is about growing up and maturing. Patience looks different for every person. Whether it’s having patience with yourself, not getting stressed out so easily, not losing your temper at work, or being more understanding of your friends, everyone's version of maturity and patience is different.
It’s ironic, it seems that when you ask God for patience, He puts you in situations in which you’re constantly forced to practice it. Remember, this is what you requested. Being put in these situations isn’t a setup for failure, but rather it is a moment for you to overcome a weakness with which you struggle. Joyce Meyer said, “Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting.”
I’m often reminded that God will never give you more than what you can handle. Remember this the next time you find yourself going through a situation you think is too difficult to overcome. God knows your heart and only wants what’s best for you.
Saint Francis de Sales said, “Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself.” Be patient with yourself. Be teachable and grow in maturity, and God will show Himself strong through manifestation in your life. Life is always teaching us something. Every day is a new lesson, and there is something to take from every situation you encounter. The next time you find yourself getting flustered, take a minute to reflect. Reevaluate why it is you’re doing what you’re doing, and ask God for the patience to see you through the situation. You might just be surprised how He responds.
Be encouraged and know that with time, you will make it. Those things that seemed unachievable before will no longer exist. You’ll find yourself exercising patience in new ways you hadn’t thought possible in certain situations. Patience is about taking time to understand yourself, the situation at hand, and how to move forward. Life is meant to be traveled forward, not backward.
