The common prayer of the impatient person is, “God, give me patience. Now!” Even the most sincere pleas for patience are dangerous prayers. Why are they dangerous? Because God is not a fat little fairy godmother who floats around singing bipity-bopity-boo banging you on the head with magic sparkly dust turning you into what you desperately want to become.
So that the seeds of the fruit of the Spirit planted in the soil of our heart grow the conditions must be right. Those conditions are worked into our lives by the Good Farmer. He brings the fertilizer of circumstances into our lives. We then choose to allow this fertilizer to do its work as we trust Christ to strengthen us. Or we can choose to become harried, frustrated and down right offended.
My daughter said to me once, “Mama, patience makes perfect.” Though misquoted she still spoke truth. James 1:4 in the New King James says, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Next time you ask God to give you patience take a look around. Patience may be getting fertilized in that very moment.
References: James 1:4, Mark 4, Philippians 4:13 and Romans 8:28.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
the time i most KNOW i lack patience is when i’m driving. man oh man…
we’ve been focusing a lot on the fruit of the Spirit in our hearts lately
Alece – For me it is with bureaucracy. Don’t get me started…
Danielle – I think that focus will be a life-long one for me. Were it not for the grace of God…
You are speaking my heart language here.
Thank you for this devotional, and thank you for making me want to garden. Now we just need some sun here. Waiting for us to move from 40′s to 60′s. I’ll just have to be patient.
Carin – cool.
Roxx – Ha! Patient indeed.
Patience. It’s like … self control. It is self-control. Something … I’m definitely still working on.
Absolutely! When we ask God for patience, He will definitely give us LOTS of opportunities to practice that!!! I agree with the statement you made about being a dangerous prayer….I know its something I always need to work on, but hate when the ‘opportunities’ come along for me to practice on. lol
Anita la paciente – Yes, very much like self-control.
Mo – Doers and not hearers only. That is the challenge.
So true!