Strong spirits: impatient?

How patient are you?  Do you know how to wait?  I'm asking because patience is an attribute of love.

I know I can be very impatient with others, with circumstances, with God, and with myself.  I often want things done my way, and right now. When I am impatient, I am usually at my worst.  I get rude, selfish, un-kind.

Real love is the antidote for impatience.  It allows me to wait, to be gracious, to give the other the gift of time.

The Bible is full of stories of people who needed to wait- often a very long time.  The waiting itself is often the gift, if we'll let it be, for it shapes us in the image of God, who is never in a hurry.

"Love is patient"  the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13: 4)

"Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and take heart and wait for the Lord."  King David (Psalm 27:14)

Want to be more patient?  Let God fill you with his love.

Gary Schwerin serves as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church. He is also the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - subscribe to our daily email so you don't miss any.