And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
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. Romans 5:3-5
We spend our lives trying to obtain patience. And in the end, we are more patient than in the beginning. Which is amazing since we have less time to wait. 😉
But we can’t argue the benefits of patience. All things take time. Our very existence testifies of patience. Nothing happens instantaneously.
Through patience we obtain experience. Let us remember to always have patience with ourselves and with others. No one learns everything the first time around.
Thought
Is it easier for you to have patience with others or yourself?
Do you find it hard to have peace when the wind blows?
The Lord promised we would have storms in this life, but He also promised we could have peace. I pray as you turn your heart and mind toward the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, you will experience His peace that passes all understanding.
Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this edition of Share the Love.
This little one loves to have his picture taken.
Reading
Trying to figure out how to get through your TBR list? Looking for your next read?
Good morning, fellow traveler! During a recent storm, the title of this post echoed in my mind and reminded me of a favorite passage in the Bible. I would like to share it with you this morning.
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. Matthew 14:22-24 KJV
The word contrary means opposite or antagonistic. Have you ever felt like you were rowing against contrary winds? Maybe it was a situation or a person. And no matter what you tried nothing seemed to work.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. Matthew 14:25-26 KJV
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:27-30
So what changed between stepping out of the boat and sinking beneath the waves? Notice Peter walked on water. Walking on water wasn’t an impossibility. It only became impossible when Peter focused on his circumstances. Our faith isn’t found in our circumstance but in the Master of the Wind.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Matthew 14:31-32
Something else that caught my eye was the wind was blowing from the time Peter left the boat until he reentered the ship. The Lord didn’t calm the winds to deliver Peter. Likewise, He may not calm the wind in our lives. But He will answer the cries of our heart and immediately takes us in His arms.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
In this world, we will have troubles and trials. No doubt about that, my friend. But, our hardships are what the Potter uses to strengthen and grow us. I think the following song fits nicely with this post. It is a prayer about sleeping in the storm. Hope you enjoy it.
Gail Johnson 