The Gift of PatienceSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: We, human beings, tend to become angry for very trivial things. But God wants us to guard our souls by patience. If patience is seen in us, our homes will be blessed because of us. We, human beings, tend to become angry for very trivial things. But the Word of God tells us to guard our souls by patience. If patience is seen in us, our homes will be blessed because of us and problems will never sprout. The reason for strives in many broken homes is 'impatience'. Unable to contain some petty matters in their hearts, they burst out in anger, losing their patience, and then everyone suffers. But the Lord desires us to guard our souls through patience.
We suffer when we do not have patience. We become a reason for various problems because of our own impatient desires (James 4:1).
"If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world." (1 John 2:15,16)
Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life - these three are gifts from the world. Some people, when they acquire some costly things, they cannot keep their pride under control. They go about boasting before their neighbours. This is the pride of life. Satan, the ruler of this world, brings about desires and lust into the hearts of people. Worldly people are prone to such an attack from the devil; but the children of God will not fall before it. They will strive to live a godly life saying, "The Lord has shown His love to me. Now, I have to do that which is pleasing to Him and refrain from all lust." God has chosen us for Himself.
The Lord God created Adam and Eve and He also created the fruit-yielding trees in the Garden of Eden for them to enjoy. But there was also a tree in the garden that wa forbidden. They were luscious fruits. Adam and Eve did not have a heart to disobey God at the beginning; but when they saw the fruit again and again, and when the devil put lust into their eyes, they yielded to sin against God. As a result, they were driven out from His presence. God allowed them to toil for their living. They lost all the blessings that they enjoyed in just one day - the reason being 'lust'.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17)
The source of blessing is the Father of lights. There is no variation or shadow of turning in Him. The Bible clearly says that God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34). He loves the poor and the rich, the educated and the illiterate, and everyone on this earth irrespective of their differences. That is why He wishes to give goodness to everyone who asks. Goodness is a gift from Him. Patience comes from God. Let us ask the Lord for that gift, so that we can overcome the lust of this world and please our Heavenly Father.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I am a weakling, succumbing to the evil pleasures of this world, failing to live a holy life. Forgive me for all my shortcomings. Father, grant me a new Spirit and a new heart which is strong and holy. Grant me the gift of patience and goodness. Help me to live my life in such a way that I can please You, not yielding to the lust of this world. Sanctify me and keep me holy by Your Holy Spirit. Come and dwell in my heart. I give You total control of my thoughts and desires. I pray this prayer through Christ, my Lord.
Amen. |