Patience

Photo Credit: AwakenDesign

Hello readers,
How’s your day and week going?
I really do apologise for this long break reaching as many as has anticipated something from my end. There are just times when other things seem to take much more attention/ allotted time than required; even though it ought not be so since others are also important.
I do really appreciate you for your understanding. Much thanks.

Today, I like to be sharing with us on patience- a virtue so rare especially in today’s world. Not many people in fact consider it a virtue and as such, it can only be found in just a few and minute proportion of humanity.

When you consider the makeups of great people and the contributing virtues that brought them where they’re today, patience is never left out.
The word patience is defined as any of the following:
Ability to bear pains or trials calmly or without complaint.
Manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain.
Not being hasty or impetuous.
Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

Everyone of the definitions above apply here, so calmly and patiently read through even if I’m not able to touch an area that applies to you( hopefully I will).

Each bit or stage of our decisions and plans requires a quantum of patience in other to achieve desired goals and expectations.
Let’s begin gradually.
When everything we plan is progressing/ working smoothly, patience helps you wait for the next stage even though it gonna take place in few seconds. Of course what gives you the assurance is the fact that everything is in order and will go easily.
On the contrary, when the unseen/unexpected occur, disrupting the smoothness and easy-ride in our plans(short-term or long-term); the tendency exist for agitation, nervousness, fear and worries.
Being calm in the midst of this adversity or the resulting pains(worries of unsuccessfulness/lack of actualization) that ensue requires virtue – patience.
No wonder the scriptures will admonish; “Be careful for nothing but by Prayers and Supplications with Thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God” Philp 4:6.
Patience tells you that instead of worries, substitute Prayers.
Patience tells you that instead of pain, identify the particular issue and bring it to God.
Patience tells you to substitute faith for fear.
Patience tells you that instead of shouting aloud in regret and hopelessness, shout aloud of the things God has done.

(N/B: Calmness isn’t idleness and applies differently in either short-term or long-terms.)

On the short-term, every action that must be put in place to achieve desired goal within set time is necessary. While our actions are also necessary on the long-term, it require much of waiting, praying, listening, praying again and even waiting/more actions.
Patience does not require sitting idly except we receive that expressly as an instructions from God.
It will requires an understanding of the situation and allowing every divine and natural circumstances that must take its course to play.

Patience never walk alone but alongside faith and action.
But this action must be the correct one, applied correctly and in due time.
Abram at a point lost sight of God’s promises after a long waiting even though he sealed it with sacrifices (covenant). By the wife’s conviction he took a wrong step( wrong action), loosing faith just as Sarai did.

See how she concluded it ” The Lord has kept me from having any child…” Gen 16:2.
It seems He forgot that covenants never fail except the terms weren’t sealed.

Oh my God! The pressures are to cause us lose faith, take the wrong action like Abram and Sarai, but my prayers in such moments has always been God’s wisdom to take necessary actions to avoid idleness and mounted pressures(and I think yours should be same or even more).

While some people are naturally endowed with patience, it is important to state emphatically that full manifestation of patience is indeed a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) little wonder it is a lacking virtue in so many even yet, our differing strength for patience.

As a way to patiently wait on God, we must always remember how important we are to God. Like the stars in the sky, God identifies each one of us by a name, checks on us momentarily, knows and sees what we go through.
So whether you aspire to reach the peak of excellence, achieve desired/set goals, patience can give them to you. Even if your circumstance has drain all the strength you’ve got for patience, don’t lose hope in God, be encouraged and seek Him to top-up.

“‘To whom will you compare me? 
Who is my equal??’ asked the Holy One.
Look into the heavens. Who created the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling them by their names. And He counts them to see that none are list or have strayed away…Is a 40:25ff.”

Yet even when our strength seem exhausted, waiting on God is a sure way to regain strength and vigour,soar higher and remain at the top.

P.S: If this has blessed you, you can’t afford to hunger and crave for patience and if you think your strength is exhausted, trust God for more and remember He is ever mindful of you.

Singing…

1. At the foot of the cross, where grace and suffering meet
You’ve shown me your love through the judgement you’ve received
You’ve won my heart X2

Refrain:
Now I can thread this ashes for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Come in to kiss the feet of mercy
I LAY EVERY BURDEN DOWN at the foot of the cross.

2. At the foot of the cross, where I’m made complete
You’ve given me life through the death you bore for me
You’ve won my heart X2
Refrain

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