I thought I was a patient person until a couple of years ago. Patience was the word given to me in 2015 as the word to study and to think and pray about. The first thing I learned was that patience is something that God wants us to put on because He loves us and we are His people. It’s important.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Col 3:12 nlt

The second thing I learned is that I am not a patient person.  The year was challenging in many ways and patience was not often my response. I don’t remember what all the challenges were they weren’t big or overwhelming just enough to require patience to see them through. Repeatedly I failed the patience test. It took awhile but I found the key to developing patience.

Rejoice in our confident hope.
Be patient in trouble,
and keep on praying.
Rom 12:112 nlt

See that last phrase, “and keep on praying”. That’s the key to most challenges in life big and small. Pray! So, that’s what I did and what I still do. Learning patience is no small task for me. I haven’t conquered my impatience yet, I am a work in progress, but my failures are fewer and less often now.

God being who He is, answered my prayers with encouragement;

being strengthened with all power,
according to his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience with joy;
Col 1:11 esv

Jesus and I talk about this often. You and I were created to be like Him and we have some work to do to become who we are meant to be but we are not left on our own to do this. We have the Spirit within us, His power and might, to keep us strong and confident as we persevere with patience and joy.

Blessings this day of grace,