Read Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Patience is a virtue”? It’s one of those phrases that might just make you want to roll your eyes. Yes, yes…we know! It’s just not that easy! A virtue is a behavior showing high moral standards. But, just knowing that patience is a virtue doesn’t really help us. What we need to know is how to HAVE patience. I would argue that patience is a discipline. Discipline is training to improve strength or self-control. The Latin disciplina meant “teaching, learning.” Patience is something we learn. We don’t come by it naturally. We have to work at it. We have to be intentional if we want to show patience.
How are you doing in the patience department? How are your interactions with those closest to you? We often have lots of patience for strangers or acquaintances, but when it comes to the relationships that mean the most to us – we rush in with guns blazing and words flying! So often we choose the need to be right in the moment instead of opting to slow down and listen first. What do you want most in your relationships? If you want stronger relationships, ask God to help you become more disciplined when it comes to exhibiting patience. Tap into God’s power and be intentional. You get to choose.
