Responding to aggravation, threat, insult, irritation, and difficulty requires patience - great patience. Responding hastily out of anger is foolish. A hasty, unfiltered response seldom produces our desired long-term effect. This quick-tempered kind of response nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows our understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run. Plus, the patient and wise approach can prevent the unnecessary loss of friendships, integrity, and respect.
Video Commentary...
We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:
Father, I ask for patience and self-control. I know these virtues are part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. I am inviting the Holy Spirit to have more impact on my heart as I look to how Jesus handled difficult situations in his life and ministry. Please give me the understanding and wisdom to keep my mouth shut until I have had an opportunity to pray and think about the issues and people involved, and only answer then. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
"Dear Father, We have not seen you. We do not even know what it might mean to see you. But you have shown us Jesus, and because we have seen him, we....."
"But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down and have mercy on me...."
"And Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross — not by water only, but by water and blood. And..."
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