Patience

Biblical patience can transform us from the inside out, because God is patient with us we can be patient with others.

Patience . . .

Microsoft published a study in Time Magazine that due to our digital lifestyle people now generally lose concentration after 8 seconds. Notable, the attention span of a goldfish is nine seconds.

Love, Joy, Peace - Heavenly and spiritual

Patience - Monday morning

How we think of Patience

Waiting around.

Slowing down is hard for me

Complain about customer service

Time is the great equalizer

What am I supposed to do while I am be patience?

2 Ways people react to Patience

1) Distraction

Sideways - phone addiction, News, TV, or Movies

2) “Good people” - Meditation - Connecting body and mind

Deep breath, taking 10 minutes to just sit and calm down

But there is a different type of Patience to consider

Father Struggles with Patience

A young father in a supermarket was pushing a shopping cart with his little son, who was strapped in the front. The little boy was fussing, irritable, and crying. The other shoppers gave the pair a wide berth because the child would pull cans off the shelf and throw them out of the cart. The father seemed to be very calm; as he continued down each aisle, he murmured gently: "Easy now, Donald. Keep calm, Donald. Steady, boy. It's all right, Donald."

A mother who was passing by was greatly impressed by this young father's solicitous attitude. She said, "You certainly know how to talk to an upset child—quietly and gently."

And then bending down to the little boy, she said, "What seems to be the trouble, Donald?"

"Oh no," said the father. "He's Henry. I'm Donald."

Having Patience with others - a whole different ball game

Deep breathing is fine, but if we want patience with others we need a biblical understanding.

Learning to be patient like this takes transformation

How the Bible sees Patience

Older versions use Long-suffering, patience is used a lot and even more recently forbearance is used.

Patience (common) - not quick to react

Long-suffering (older) - hand in there

Forbearance - restraint

Look at how God is patient with us.

Psalm 103:8–10 ESV

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

Chide - strive or accuse

Slow to anger -

God, way do you allow bad things to keep happening?

When is enough, enough?

Slow to anger - Double edge sword.

God is patient over the centuries and generations

God get angry but doesn’t last forever

Noah

Pharaoh

Exile

Tuned people over to what they wanted.

You?

Are you glad he is slow to anger?

I have done things worthy of the wrath of God

Grace this way; Judgment that way.

When we MUST understand God is patient with us so we are transformed by him.

However, Patience is not passive - it active

It is a daily decision - which takes action.

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Having done all to stand firm. Stand.

The easy thing to do is get distracted, or try to change our external behavior.

The way we don’t get tipped over in the grocery store about the crazy kid comes

1) From knowing God is Patience with us

2) Trying every day to but on the armor of God - Be more like Jesus

What Patience looks like

Patience is a great indicator of emotional health.

Knowing when to move

Knowing what to do is great. Knowing when to do it is life-changing

Express anger

Express joy

Valuing other people story

Everyone is different - they move at different paces

Encouraging Each person to be who God made them to be

Staying calm and communicating clearly

Tony Dungy Learned Patience from His Father

My dad was usually a quiet, thoughtful man. A scientist at heart and by training, Wilbur Dungy loved to be outside, enjoying the scenery. Fishing allowed him time to contemplate, to listen, and to marvel at God's creation. My dad used fishing to teach his children to appreciate the everyday wonders of the world God created—the sandy shoreline, the dark, pine forests, the shimmering water, and the abundant wildlife. The lessons were always memorable, whether we caught a lot of fish or not.

Although we fished countless times together throughout our lives, one particular day stands out in my mind. It was a summer day in 1965. Summers in Michigan are beautiful, with comfortable temperatures and clear, blue skies. I was nine years old, and my brother was five. My dad had taken us fishing at one of the many small lakes around Jackson. On that day, my dad was teaching my brother and me how to cast. We were both working on it, mostly in silence, until my dad's voice finally broke a period of stillness.

"Hey, Linden, don't move for a minute, please." I looked back and watched my dad move his hand toward his face. Calm and deliberate, he continued to speak.

"Now, Linden, always make sure that you know not only where your pole is when you're starting to cast"—at this point, I realized my dad was working my brother's hook out of his own ear— "but also make certain that you know where everyone else is around you."

I learned something about proper casting that day, but I also learned something about patience. Years later, when I got hooked myself, in my hand, I realized how much it hurts. Remembering my dad's patience that day when Linden's hook was caught in his ear, I finally understood the importance of staying calm and communicating clearly.

Biblical patience can transform us from the inside out, because God is patient with us we can be patient with others.