Patience.....

"Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:1-6

These words give me hope for today and every day that I live until Christs return. I mean if God was willing to send his son to die for me when I was a lost, dying sinner; how much more will he do for me as his child? Satan will try to convince you that God doesn't care, or that it is to hard; but know that the love of God is there on the good days and on the days that we mess up. He doesn't turn his back just because we make a mistake. If we come to him and repent when we realize that we have sinned, he is faithful to forgive us.

Know that God loves you even if he has sent you a storm. Look at the storm as a chance to walk on the water with Him. As the verses state above, storms work patience. Patience is a tool that we all run short on. It is a handy tool though and we should all work to make ourselves more patient. Most times we get tired in our storms, and Satan will not get tired. He will pound the waves upon you until you give up. Thats where patience comes in. If we are patient, God provides a way out, His way out (and His ways are always easier and more fruitful than ours.)

Patience works experience. When we get through the storm with our sanity and patience, we have experience. We all have stories of trials and heartache. You know the old saying "Hindsight is 20/20"; well hindsight is a wonderful tool, it is just never around when you need it. This is where patience comes in. You cannot have hindsight if we do not go through storms. We cannot counsel the friend with a broken marriage or the teenage girl thinking of giving herself away if we do not have experience. Sure we may have words of wisdom, but people want to know that they are not alone, that someone has been there. So don't give up, the Son's coming up in the morning!

Experience breeds hope. If you have ever been through hard times you may have a hard time with this one. I understand it now, but it took awhile. When you are in the storm, it all looks cloudy and dark; but just around the corner is a breakthrough. Some people get stuck, some people turn around, don't be one of them. If you get stuck, you will always be in the same spot. Reliving the same nightmare is never fun. If you turn around, you will eventually have to go back through what you avoided. But, when you see that ray of Son peeking through, there is a tiny sliver of hope. Nurture that hope. It will grow into love.

Not just any love mind you, God's love. God's love does what ours cannot, it suceeds. You cannot love a drug addict or alchoholic on your own. Eventually your patience (theres that word again) will run short. If you have God's love however you will never get tired or impatient. He is always refreshing you if you ask. I know from personal experience that a spouse is sometimes the hardest to love. Try letting God's love flow through you and into them. You will be surprised at what you can do and who you can love with God in your heart.

I love you all and you are consistantly in my prayers. May God bless each and everyone of you. He will supply your every need. He will get you through your personal storm. Trust in Him.