Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinncers, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim. 1:15-17
Our latest "fruit" is patience. Ah, good ol' patience. I've always thought of myself as quite a patient, tolerant, merciful person. I've thought that until, that's right...the second child!! I don't know if it's lack of sleep, or what, but I have not been patient. I suppose it's probably not that I've actually changed, it's just that the real me is just surfacing. So, in trying to figure out why I'm not as patient as I should be I dug deeper...funny how our Bible study timing lined up perfectly (yeah God!).
I think what I'm discovering most is that an anxious person cannot be patient because all energy needed to be patient is used up being anxious...make sense?
Take Job for instance. He perservered, and did not surrender to his circumstances when life seemed to be caving in on him. He had hope - a positive outlook toward an expected end. He didn't focus on what might happen, but what must happen - an uninteruppted trust/faith in his God...no matter what!
I need that quality in my character. I want to trust God through the flames, the famin, the sleepless nights, the mouthy 4-year old, the long cold winter, the clingy babe... I do waver. Back and forth, easily tossed from side to side...
Mercy. Imagine a world, or even your neighbourhood for that matter, full of mercy. It's much easier to be patient with circumstances than it is with people. Isn't that the truth! Perhaps because to be patient with people we shouldn't play the blame game...hmmm. I am challenged to forbear, to be self-restrained before acting out. Mercy...how beautiful...
So I'm learning, I'm trusting, I'm letting go. I feel God doing some refining. The fire's hot...the impurities are lifting to the surface...
