Being patient with other people can be difficult, But sometimes, I find it even more difficult to be patient with myself. I have high expectations and lofty goals. At least, I think they are lofty goals. :PWhen I look around me I see people who want to receive God's blessings now, not later. And, of course, there are many times we all desire our lives to unfold according to our own wishes and our own timetables...not God's. Do you see that happening? I know it is that way with me sometimes and I doubt I am the only one in the world who is like that.
Yet, throughout the Bible, we are instructed that patience is the companion to wisdom. Proverbs 16:32 teaches "Patience is better than strength." God's message is pretty clear: I must be patient with all people. For me, that means beginning with that particular woman who stares back at me each time I gaze into the mirror.
Faith in God leads to self-acceptance. Without God, I may be plagued with doubts about self-worth and self-esteem. But, it seems to me, that I need to remember that God created me in His image and that I was created anew by my belief in Christ.
The Bible affirms the importance of self-acceptance by exhorting believers to love others as they love themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). Furthermore, the Bible teaches that when I genuinely open my heart to Him, God accepts me just as I am. And, if He accepts me....faults and all....then who am I to believe otherwise?
4 comments:
YEa that is right.. alot of times we want it right then and there and now and sometimes it isntfor us and sometime
I needed this reminder, Claire.
I think its funny that we often say "it will happen in God's time" when we know God lives outside the concept of time. Man, we could be waiting awhile, huh? : )
Also, the picture reminds me of when Carol Burnett used to dress up as Tim Conway's secretary, Missus H'Wiggins. Just thought I'd share that!
"God's message is pretty clear: I must be patient with all people. For me, that means beginning with that particular woman who stares back at me each time I gaze into the mirror."
That is so true. God has been bringing this message home to me several times over the last several months, but it's a hard one to put into practice. Old habits of being critical of self are hard to change because I often don't notice when I'm doing it. When I do catch myself, and when I remember I'm trying to treat myself more gently I correct the self talk. Hopefully, I'll catch myself more and more.
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