Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
Proverbs 16:32
Patience is an offspring of God's love. It's quite a family.
In that great chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13:4, patience and kindness are mentioned in tandem, as twins:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It isn't kind to lose patience with someone. So it's probably impossible to be kind and go off pop at someone simultaneously!
If you're struggling with a short fuse, like me, perhaps the Holy Spirit is bringing you to the end of yourself and revealing the ugliness of impatience.
Note what the verse in Proverbs says: better to be patient than powerful.
Usually people in places of power aren't very patient. They don't suffer fools gladly. Don't envy powerful people, they probably got there by treading on others.
Think of people who have been patient and kind in your life. They are the ones to emulate.
Our dog Roki was quite an angry boy when he first came "home", he barked wildly at every stranger and wasn't very sociable.
Slowly, with lots of love, he is turning into quite a cuddle bunny. Even to the extent of tolerating my nephew's twins' exuberant stroking all over him.
Very often he comes to us throughout the day, with curly tail wagging, to have his "love tank" filled up. In response we give him a cuddle and treats!
If impatience is a problem in life, perhaps your "love tank" is running on empty. More frequent stops to absorb Jesus' unconditional love for you can turn your life around.
Ask Jesus to fill up your "love tank" right now until it overflows - not only you, but others will feel the benefit.
Once you are full with the Holy Spirit, patience will be part of the fruit in your life.
Galatians 5:22-23 AMPC
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, [23] Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
But don't forget to be patient with yourself too, Rome wasn't built in a day!
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