The 7 Love Agreements: Patience

YOU CAN GROW PATIENCE IN YOUR LIFE

James 1:2–4 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Words used to translate PATIENCE

ENDURANCE

Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

H

PERSEVERANCE

James 5:11 NKJV

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

How you deal with the annoyances of your spouse is crucial.

Tips for Patience

Prayer - not just asking for patience, but asking for help to respond patiently

Detachment - take a step back and diffuse the situation

You must refuse to view your partner’s annoying quirks as deliberate offenses.

Stop - stop believing and behaving like you have the power to change your spouse

The Power of Patience

Proverbs 16:32 NKJV

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs

Patience is raw power!

Share some symptoms of impatience:

Share some symptoms of patience:

Forbearance - there are some things that will not change in your lifetime

Love Agreement 2 - I will not try to change things about my spouse that I do not like but will modify my behaviors that annoy my partner

Application: set goal and measure progress

Pray Daily

Record area of unusual impatience

Five spousal quirks that incite impatience

Pretend it is first time to be patient