Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances - meaning persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance or anger in a negative way. How many times have we been heard to say - "God grant me patience..."? There are those who come in and out of our lives who are gifted with the ability to try our patience on a daily basis. To some - it is amazing - that drastic actions are not taken as a result. To be patient with someone who habitually is an irritant is a definite gift from God. Without that special grace - we would probably act in a very unkind manner - doing very unkind things to the very person who tests our level of patience. I find it unbelievable that those who cause so much irritation - are completely unaware of what they are doing - even when told to their face what is happening.
Jesus had to cope with impatience all the time - people following Him all over the place - begging Him for miracles - pestering Him until even His patience wore thin. Through all the irritation - no matter how bothersome - He did maintain patience. That is what He asks us - be patient - ask for more patience from God - endure even when it hurts - because they are - our sisters and brothers - our mothers and fathers - our friends and foes. Patience - true patience is a gift from God. In this Easter season - as we celebrate Christ's victory over death and sin - we need to keep things in order - our eyes focused on the important things - to be patient - to see only that which truly matters - Jesus.
Deacon Dale
Deacon Dale
