Patience Needed

Read: 1 Corinthians 13

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. --- 1 Corinthians 13:4

The Bible In One Year:
2 Samuel 9-11
Luke 15:11-32

Our flight to Singapore was delayed because of mechanical problems. The 15-minute delay turned into 30 minutes, then 60 --- and then 3 hours. The ground staff was scrambling to calm the crowd, but people were tired and soon became angry. As the night stretched on, the crowd began to turn into a mob --- screaming at the staff with harsh language. The pilot even came to offer encouragement, but the crowd turned on him as well.

As I watched the scene unfold, a Singaporean man standing beside me softly said, "Patience will be a much-needed virtue tonight."

Life can be frustrating, even exasperating. Yet, many times impatience is just a reflection of our own self-centeredness in response to life's disappointments. Real love is pictured in the Bible as self-sacrifice [John 15:13], and one demonstration of that love is patience toward others. "Love suffers long and is kind; love ... does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked" [1 Cor. 13:4-5]. It sets aside our personal agenda and seeks to model Christ.

Sound impossible? It is, if we attempt it in our own strength. But as we pray for help, God provides us with patience that reflects His love --- even during frustrating circumstances. --- Bill Crowder

When irritated and upset
Do you complain and gripe and fret?
Or is your life controlled inside
Because in Jesus you confide? --- Branon

WHEN TEMPTED TO LOSE PATIENCE WITH OTHERS, REMEMBER GOD'S PATIENCE WITH YOU.