ONLY GOD

 

 

One thing, Jim and I are working on through our difficult times is patience. We are learning, that God’s ways aren’t our ways and His thoughts aren’t our thoughts. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord’ (Isaiah 55:8). We are learning that God’s timing is not our timing. God is always doing more, than we can see through our physical eyes, so all we have to do is trust in Him.
   Why do we think it’s important to God, that patience is continually growing in us? It’s because God’s timing is not our timing. He’s always doing more, than we can see or know, so we have to trust God, regardless of how long He takes to bring it to pass. God perfects and refines us, before He brings us into all He has for us, and that takes time. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12).
   What is patience? Patience is being mild, gentle and constant in all circumstances. The real test of patience is not in waiting, but in how one acts, while he or she is waiting. A person who has developed patience, will be able to put up with things, without losing his or her temper. Scripture tells us in (James 1:4), “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing.” Reaching this point is definitely a process, which takes a lot of faith and trust in God. However, we can learn to enjoy life where we are, while we are waiting, for what we desire.
  Another word for patience is long-suffering. Long-suffering bears something, yea, many things, without seeking to be avenged by word or act.  Long-suffering is patience with offense, coupled together with long endurance. If you are long-suffering, you will not impart to others your supposed knowledge of your brother’s mistakes and errors. You will seek to help and save them, because He has been purchased with the blood of Jesus. Long-suffering is not to be gloomy and sad, sour and hardhearted; it’s to be exactly the opposite.” -Ellen G. White, My Life Today.
      Our patience and long-suffering with others should stem, at least partly, from our realization of God’s patience and long-suffering with us. Imagine if God treated each of us as we often treat another! Fortunately, He doesn’t, and the fact, that He is exceedingly patient with us and our faults, means we should be patient with others and their faults. As we look in the mirror and see ourselves, for what we are and know that God loves and endures with us despite what we see in the mirror, we will be better able to truly manifest this fruit of long-suffering. In and of ourselves, we can’t do it; but only as we surrender our will to His will can we truly bear the fruits of patience and long-suffering in our own lives.

Five “I Wills” of Patience
1. I will change the things I can change and accept the things I can’t.
2. I will keep trying until I succeed.
3. I will make the most of my spare time.
4. I will not interrupt.
5. I will not complain if I don’t get my own way.

How we demonstrate patience to God.
1. Thanking God for each trial, knowing that He is working through it, to build in me the character of Jesus Christ.
2. Serving others as unto the Lord even though there is no apparent gratitude or recognition for my service.
3. Obeying God by faith even though my natural inclinations tell me otherwise.
4. Allowing God the freedom to work rather than attempting to change people and situations in my own strength.

   What new behavioral traits are needed for patience to develop in your life?

To increase you level of patience you need to:
1. Develop a consistent philosophy of life. Take life one day at a time. Consider each day as a gift of life that will allow you to get one step closer to your goal of growth and change.
2. Accept the reality of your humanity in that you are going to need time, effort and energy to change and grow. You will experience some resistance to altering long-standing, habitual ways of acting, reacting and believing.
3. Reframe your perspective on the past, present, and future. Don’t dwell on your past mistakes and failings. Don’t worry about what you will become or how you will act in the future. Begin to live each new day as a fresh start.
4. Break larger goals down into components that are short-term goals and objectives, more realistically attainable in the immediate future.
5. Be systematic in planning your path to recovery and growth.
 6. Accept, understand and forgive yourself for being fragile, imperfect and weak. 
   You need to become your own best friend and cheerleader. Love yourself! Wake up to the realities of life around you. Everyone with whom you come in contact is busy working through their own struggles, weaknesses, setbacks, relapses, crises and obstacles to their personal growth and recovery. All of us are on the path to personal growth. There is no one exempt from this journey. It takes a lifetime to complete.
   Hand over and let go of the worries, concerns, anxieties and doubts about attaining your goal. Comfort your fears about attaining your goal. Remember, the world wasn’t created in a day. Beautiful symphonies, works of art and literary masterpieces were not created in a day. A lifetime is not lived in a day.
   Modify your spirit perspective to include your God as a guide on this journey. Be ready and willing to face challenges as you strive for personal growth.