HOW TO GROW IN PATIENCE

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

I would like to continue to share with you what the author teaches in his book 'i don't want to feel this way' on PATIENCE

Growing in patience is not something we could do on our own. Growth in patience is the work of the Holy Spirit. Only He alone can transform us. But the Holy Spirit does not work in a vacuum. He uses means - doable means - for us to grow in our character.

The Holy Spirit uses spiritual disciplines for our spiritual growth. We learn patience by learning and keeping the disciplines needed for spiritual growth and by directly getting involved in the lives of others.

The fruit or character of the Spirit has to do with relationships-with how we respond to others.Patience, which is part of the fruit of the Spirit is learned by being with people. Patience is not learned in an isolated retreat house in a prayer mountain away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Do you want to learn patience? A good way is to get married! It is the intimate relationship of marriage where you have to relate 24/7 with someone who has had a different upbringing, different sets of habits and different ways of looking at things that you learn patience. It is in marriage where your patience will really be stretched. To be fair, your spouse too has to go through the same stress-perhaps the greater stress, considering the kind of person that you are.

Patience is learned only in the context of relationships. This is why it is important for you to be directly and actively involved with a local church or a Bible study group or a care group.

How do you grow in patience?
1) Keep the disciplines for spiritual growth
2) Develop meaningful personal relationships
3) faithfully obey God's Word