How to develop patience (3)

Here are two more things you need to do in order to develop patience:

1) Develop a sense of humour. The Bible says, ‘A tranquil heart is life to the body’ (Proverbs 14:30 NASB). Scientific studies reveal that people who laugh, live longer. Humour is a stress dissolver. It’s an antidote to apprehension. It’s a tranquilliser without any troubling side effects. It’s a shock absorber for the potholes of life. When you can see the humorous side to a situation, it crushes the situation’s power over you. And when you trust God with your problems you can continue to have a joyful heart.

2) Deepen your love. Paul writes, ‘Love is patient and kind’ (1 Corinthians 13:4 NLT). That means when you are impatient, you are unloving. When you love someone, you’re concerned about that person’s wishes, distress, needs, and point of view – not just your own. When you are filled with love, almost nothing can provoke you to anger or impatience. On the other hand, when you are filled with anger, almost anything can provoke you. Under pressure, whatever is inside you is going to come out.

So, deepen your love. ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ (Ephesians 4:2 NIV). And one more thought: when you learn to love the people who irritate you, you take a weapon out of Satan’s hands that he can use against you.

Today pray, ‘Lord, make me a more patient person.’