PATIENCE
STORIES
Friday,
August 17, 2018
A week ago I invited all of you to share your
stories on patience. Here are the responses.
EBB4
P.: The only philosophy I have concerning patience is…never
ask God to teach you patience or give you patience. No doubt he will do
so by making you practice the art of waiting.
M.: Love it! Ed.
An old Mary & Wendy song about patience titled "Instant
Breakfast", came to mind... Last
line of song reads: "Give me the patience...I want it NOW!!!” God bless!!!
C.: Dear Wise One, I think the better
translation is “Longsuffering” not patience!! Once again your words have been a
blessing to me. I will try to be brief.
My husband and I had a thriving construction
business, he was a scratch golfer, worked out regularly, our children were
grown, and we had purchased a house on a golf course in Arizona. Our
“Plan” was to work a few more years to pay for the Arizona house, and then
winter there.
However, on June 6th 2014 he
went in for a minor surgery. The doctor made a mistake that caused
disabling injuries to his leg. Since that day, we have had 7
surgeries, and are waiting on the 8th. Because of this:
-He became unable
to work, we lost the business
-He was not able
to golf, so his 25 year golf membership was cancelled
-I found
employment after the business closed for income and insurance, but eventually
had to quit work to care for him
-He continues to
suffer from chronic pain, he had been unable to sleep, cannot tolerate a bed,
and has been in a recliner for 4 years. I sleep on the couch next
to him for emotional support and to care for him.
-We used to be very
involved with our 7 grandchildren, but we have been unable to participate
in their activities, or take them out socially. Too painful for my
husband.
So, Longsuffering. YES.
Faith tester. YES. Lots of tears. YES.
My thoughts are that you cannot practice or
experience patience without the following:
-Faith in
God. Believing that God is in control and loves us.
-Prayer
-Daily bible study
– reading his word or devotions to keep us connected to God
-A church family –
They have been my rock and support
-Listening to
Christian music i.e. KLOVE / KGBI
Although I don’t understand, I know God’s
word is true, and have learned that I have no choice but to patiently
wait. As you pointed out, many in the Bible waited years for Gods plan to
be complete. It is his timing, not ours. Putting our lives in his hands,
and knowing his timing is perfect, gives me the strength to be
patient. Blessings
Heather: Being PATIENT &
WAITING is only one side of the challenge I see. The other is recognizing
which situations/moments are these TRIALS/TRIBULATIONS/VISIONS and which are
simply situations/moments that WE ARE BETTER SERVED STEPPING AWAY from.
Prayer...
Reflection... Past Experiences... Seeking Counsel...
DK: My husband used to have the most
terrible road rage! I used to dread car trips with him and suffered terrible
nightmares of him killing us in a car accident before each road trip. Now, that
he has cancer and the road rage is completely gone!!! God has cleansed
him of this terrible sin! Praise the Lord!
However, God is still working on my husband’s
unforgiving heart. He loves to hold grudges against his family...mainly
with his sister. He is so mean to her. He doesn’t like when I send
her beautiful birthday cards and money. He flew into a tantrum when he
saw the beautiful card I made for her and he refused to sign it! Oye vey!
Last time we visited my husband’s sister, he
made her cry. He told her she going to get cancer for being fat and
smoking. Recently, she had a blood test that indicates a possible cancer.
Her circulation to her organs is failing and her hip is dying. She
has to use a walker to get around. She got scared and cut down on
smoking... plus, she lost a lot of weight. She was “obese” according to
her doctor on the disability paperwork. Now, she is going to some kind of
therapy to help her with her addictions and it’s working! Praise the
Lord!
I hope my husband’s cancer goes into
remission and we can get up North to visit everyone. I would love to see
my husband hug his sister. I have never seen him do that. He just
bad mouthed her every chance he got, and he said she ruined his childhood.
This relationship needs to heal as God is love, and if you can’t forgive
and love people, Jesus won’t let you into His Kingdom! Please pray that
this relationship heals. Thank you!
When my husband takes Holy Communion he is
asking God for help. He is terribly afraid of death and of going to
hell/purgatory. (His family and his godfather are Catholic so they talk
about purgatory.). He told me the Book of Revelations states you
cannot enter Heaven unless you’re an overcomer. So, God is working on him
removing all his addictive sins that he never could get rid of on his own.
Thank you Jesus!
Love In Christ,
S: Other than you the person I think of who has shown the most
growth in demonstrating patience is R.B., a recovering drug addict and
felon. After M. was incarcerated she patiently stood by him while he was
in prison. She no longer uses drugs, attends recovery meetings daily and has a
good job. Every time I talk with her I am amazed at how much she has
grown spiritually. She is patiently waiting for M. and will be a very
positive influence on him when he gets there.
Anonymous; Two persons confessed to impatience when
they hear longtime Christians use non-Christian terms such as “Karma” “The
universe has been good to me today.” “I check my horoscope every morning.” “I
hope the force is with me today.” “Good luck!”
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