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 Child of God,
If you were a shepherd in the time when I was born, you would never have expected anyone to be astonished at anything you could..."
"Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean."
..."
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.But small is the gate and narrow...."
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