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Patience is probably one of the hardest things to talk about. It is because when you are having to be patient and wait upon the Lord it is out of your control or influence. For most patience is the battle for self. My grandfather was not patient, he expected results now, but he was a doer. I have learned over the years that the Lord is faithful, that allows me to have patience but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Like a child who is fiercely independent and says, ” I can do it on my own” but realizes that they really can’t, we struggle against the helplessness. Thankfully the Lord is longsuffering with our independence and stubbornness.

The bible says, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Paul writing to young Timothy reminding him that as God shows his patience towards us so that we should let others see that pattern of patience in us. May all of us who struggle in waiting on the Lord learn the lesson of longsuffering as our Lord was patient with us let us be patient.

In the world today negativity and skepticism seems to pervade our culture. Everything and everyone seems to have something negative to say. The old adage said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. That’s all well and good, but it seems that we have forgotten where that came from.

The scripture tells that “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”(Matthew 7:12)

Negativity when it reveals itself is actually a condition of the heart that is made manifest by the mouth. It is here we can learn from the scripture in Matthew that says,

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man:”
(Matthew 15:18-20)

We as a people have to come back to a civil tone with regard to the feelings of others. If we get our hearts right with God, then we can get our relationships right with man. Our negativity or lack of it can determine the outcome of those relationships. Remember to stay “positive” with the Word.

Sometimes life just “happens”. This last week my position was eliminated. I was discouraged and disheartened. However, I noticed in my area there were a lot of people who were going through the same emotions as  I was. So, I sat down at my desk and as I was waiting for my dreaded meeting, I began to reach out first to those who were being displaced to give encouragement. Then I realized there are those who are left in the aftermath of the turmoil who are just as discouraged and sad. I got up and began to go to those who would make it through the elimination, but would lose friends and coworkers. They needed to know that it would be alright, that things would become normal again. They needed to know God was still on His throne and still in control. The things happening all around them were no surprise to Him.There is a scripture that came to mind,

Daniel 2:21  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:.

There will be times when life hands you set backs and you will have a choice: be bitter or be better. Which will you be?