Day 22 - Restoring Patience

“We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food”.
2 Corinthians 6: 3-5

Meditate or Reflect
In the verse for today we learn that patience is a key attribute of ministers of God; and we are all called to be ministers in some way: as parents, in our jobs, in our community, as friends and family members. So, when patience is tested or running thin it is an indication that something is out of balance. There are various causes that lead to impatience: taking on too many things that presses us short on time, or feeling like too much time has passed and the results we desire are not happening soon enough, or others are demanding of our time, or we are in a long period of enduring hardship with no end in sight, and sometimes impatience can be a defect of character. So how do we wait patiently while we endure trials of various kinds? First, we can seek quiet places where we ask God for direction. Second, we use the hands and feet that God gave us to do our part while we wait: seeking answers or opportunities, ministering to others, walk in the presence of God. And third, we wait quietly without grumbling so we do not lose faith in God’s purpose for us; although, we must talk to others in our faith circles and ask for prayer. Being patient isn’t always easy, sometimes it can bring us to brokenness, but our patience can bring us closer to God in our dependence on Him, and our patient perseverance becomes an amazing witness that glorifies God. 
 
Restoring Patience
Past
Take a breath and recall any time (or patterns of behavior) when you have been impatient, or have been treated with impatience.  And recall a time when you had to be patient. How did you manage to be so patient?  Were you prayerful? Did you ask others for prayer? Take a moment and recall God’s great patience with you.  Ask God to help you in the waiting, or help you in slowing down. 
 
Present
Are you mostly patient these days? Or are you finding it is a challenge to remain patient under your current circumstances?  Consider the areas of your life where you would like to experience restored patience. You can acknowledge if your current circumstances are testing your patience and make a plan for enduring hardships with God’s help. Take a moment and allow the Holy Spirit to show you where you need to have patience restored. 
 
Future
There may be seasons in your life when patience does not come easy. And some trials may be endured with no relief in sight. But, continue to patiently wait. In this moment, ask God to lead you in restoring patience to your life in any of the areas that came up for you today. Then journey with the Holy Spirit to restore patience in your soul. Take a deep breath. With each new day, strive to patiently endure any trials, knowing that patience strengthens your witness as others look to you and the witness of your ministry.