Naturally patient? That’s too bad!

Has anyone ever called you “a patient person”?  How about kind…gentle…disciplined?  That might be a great thing to be – but it won’t bring you closer to God.  In fact, it’s very likely that the naturally IMpatient person might be more spiritually mature in the area of patience than you are! 

Often times we kind of kick into autopilot in the areas where we have the most natural ability.  It’s only when we reach the end of ourselves that we realize we were functioning in our own strength rather than God’s all along. 

Galatians 5:16

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

When someone compliments you on a character quality, do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has brought you to your knees in that area? Take me, for instance.  I struggle with pride.  I go along just fine, me and God, obeying Him and doing my best.  Then something really cool happens.  It makes me happy.  I start thinking about it.  And before I know it, I have taken a little bit of the credit for myself.  And deep down, sometimes even without me being fully aware, I’m hoping someone is impressed.  That’s where all my sirens go off and my red flags start waving.  Danger, danger, Will Robinson!!  (pretend you understand that if you’re under 40…) 

I start praying like crazy that God will humble me.  Because the flip side of that good feeling is a horrible, piercing shame for taking something good and holy and wrecking it with the wrong motives.  Last week God allowed me to be a part of some really wonderful experiences during a mission trip to Guatemala.  But there were a few times I really had to yank myself up short and ask, “What’s going on here?  Can you do this thing in the right spirit – one of humility and service – or not?”  God graciously allowed me to deal with Him in each area before I blew it…to the extent that I have no regrets, no painful memories, only thankfulness and joy that God let me be a part of what He is doing in Guatemala. 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 

Thank You, Father, for saving me from myself!

Everyone trusts God on a good day…

“Everyone trusts God on a good day with $20 in their pocket.”  These words smacked me upside the head as I sat and watched Seasons of Gray last night.  Seasons of Gray, a full-length film produced by Watermark church in Dallas, retells the story of Joseph.  After spending 93% of the trip south to Dallas venting about my day to 2 of my wonderfully patient daughters, I was really ready to hear some words of reproof and regain my perspective.  God loves me so much and has blessed me so far beyond my ability to even recognize all the blessings!  A refrain came to my mind, “If you keep on crying, I’ll give you something to cry about!”  I want to be a woman that can weather the ups and downs of life with grace and patience.  As a Christ-follower, I want to grow up so that when tough or frustrating things happen to me, I don’t immediately find myself listing my woes and angrily blaming others.

Another blessing happened this morning on the way to work.  Dr. Charles Stanley, one of my all-time favorite preachers, reminded me to “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance…”  James 1:2ff.  If you haven’t listened to Stanley, it’s like God crammed the enthusiasm and energy of a 5 year old at recess into the body of a 70 year old man – and then poured in about 14 gallons of wisdom and straightforward speaking!  God is growing me by leaps and bounds when I struggle!  May I never find myself totally at ease with nothing to improve!

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6