Patience, patience

I'm not very good at being patient.   
Now, I'm ok being patient with other people (most of the time) as they learn and grow, but when it comes to my walk with the Lord, I want to move on a lot quicker than God is showing me!  I'm better now than I used to be, but still I don't like waiting for the next step.  But there's a great deal to be said about patience really.

James 1:4 (KJV) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:4 (MSG) So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Patience is defined by Strong's Concordance as "steadfastness, constancy, endurance in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings patiently, and steadfastly; a patient, steadfast waiting for a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

The dictionary defines patience as :The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like; an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay; quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence:

It is clear it's all about being able to stay at peace in the face of delays, opposition, challenges and maintain your course, keep to your purpose.  To put it in simple terms, Dory (a fish from the movie 'Finding Nemo') says it like this 

Dory: "When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do? Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.

The truth is, sometimes we all feel like giving up, but James tells us that patience leads to maturity, completeness and no lack!   These are things we would (hopefully) desire, and yet are we willing to exercise patience.  It's a question to ponder for sure!  

Happy days!  


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