Well hello! I’m delighted you’re here. Come on in & we’ll enjoy a cuppa together my friend.
Would you consider yourself a patient person?
While you’re contemplating that question, lets grab our cuppa’s & get comfy.
I’m having a real treat today with a tea blend called Banana Bake, it’s like having a freshly baked decadent Banana muffin without the calories. Absolutely delicious!
Patience
Patience is an age old virtue, discussed down through the ages, one that doesn’t come naturally to us.
So what is patience exactly?
The general definition of Patience;
“the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.”
Hmmmm!
That’s a fairly tall order for us humans, don’t you think?
While we may be able to tolerate delays or problems without becoming annoyed, rather choosing to view them from a different perspective.
Not becoming anxious is a little harder when faced with those same delays & problems.
And not being anxious or annoyed when suffering, well that’s a whole subject on its own… Don’t you think?
The lesson
As you may know, if you join me here often, I live with chronic health conditions.
These conditions are somewhat challenging. But that’s not what I want to particularly focus upon today.
The lesson I want to share with you today is how we choose to react to the people around us, as we live with challenging circumstances.
Life Changes
Change is just a part of life, at any age we can find ourselves in challenging situations.
This change can come for a variety of reasons; ie. financial crises, accidents, surgical recovery, chronic health conditions, mental health challenges & various seasons in life.
These challenging times require patience not only by the one who is going through these changes but also from those around them.
Or at least understanding that we may be slower & more restricted in how we live our daily lives.
But let me assure you that every person who is dealing with a dramatic change in life is doing the absolute best they can in trying to navigate uncharted territory!
So, exactly what does this have to do with Patience?
In two ways, one is how we choose to personally face these challenges shared in;
& the other is how we react to the impatience of others towards us in our circumstances.
Because when challenges come, as mentioned above, anxiety can peak evaporating our patience.
And also it appears evaporating the patience of other people, when we can’t meet their needs or expectations!
Let me make this personal,
When I’ve had extremely challenging flares (cycles) of Fibromyalgia (FM).
My capabilities are diminished & restricted especially in socialising, traveling long distances & conversing on the phone.
Although I do my absolute best each day I can’t do what I could in the ‘not so challenging’ cycles.
In FM what we can do on one day we may not be able to do in the next & vice a versa.
It’s a day to day living…
This sadly gets some people rather impatient, especially when I haven’t been able to meet their needs & expectations at those times.
I can’t tell you how utterly gut wrenching this is when you’re dealing with chronic health issues…
What’s the solution?
I’ve found prayer is the answer, allowing God’s grace to flow. For
14 This is the confidence(A) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.(B)
15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know(C) that we have what we asked of him.(D)
1 John 5: 14-15
I would like to emphasise here that it takes God’s grace, patience & wisdom while under fire to grace others in these situations.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by Nothing Ahead on Pexels.com
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I am definitely NOT a patient person but I am working on that!
I’m glad you’re working on it Joanne 😊
On another note, each week I can’t seem to get a comment up on your site, it constantly tells me there’s an error. 🤔
I have heard that from a few bloggers and I am so puzzled as to why some people can and others can not leave comments! Blogger has definitely been frustrating lately for sure.
Oh I thought it may have been just me 🤔
I’m truly sorry for your health challenges. I can only imagine the patience you have to have for yourself. My dear man has a long term diagnosis that looks and feels different day to day. It doesn’t go away, but some days are better than others. It’s forced me in a good way to learn a deeper level of patience. And I have to use self control when others are being impatient with him. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Thank you & you’re most welcome Lisa. I’m saddened to hear your hubby has chronic illness too. It’s a difficult journey for all concerned, especially spouses. May you both know God’s blessings in the journey…
The word CHANGE has been in my face for a few weeks now. Changing of seasons… of actual weather season as well as life season, trying to be and live out the change I would like to see in the world… and this reminder that I need to be patient for all of it and it doesn’t come easy. Thanks for the reminder.
You’re most welcome, change can be difficult to wait for but also can come upon us most unexpectedly ~ it’s kind of strange like that…don’t you think? Lovely having join me in a cuppa today 😊
Thank you for these reflections, Jennifer! As I face a difficult period of transition at work, patience is definitely a challenge. It’s far too easy for annoyance or anxiety to creep in, and we really need God to help us in that. I appreciate your point about needing others’ patience too. It really helps if people can see that we are doing our best under challenging circumstances, and of course it’s a challenge to make sure we extend that grace to others too.
You’re welcome Lesley, I’m saddened to hear that you’re dealing with challenging circumstances at work. Praying now for you & your coworkers to come through victoriously.
It’s so true that what we might be able to handle under “normal” conditions is harder when we’re having health or other issues. Maybe that’s why God puts us in those situations–to increase our reliance on Him. I pray often Colossians 1:11: “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” That’s beyond my natural ability. How I need His grace, not just to bear things (so often the little things are the most irritating) but to bear them with joy.
I really appreciate this, too: “But let me assure you that every person who is dealing with a dramatic change in life is doing the absolute best they can in trying to navigate uncharted territory!” We never know what’s going on with other people under the surface. We need to give each other grace.
Thank you Barbara, yes the little things can definitely be the most irritating, like grit in shoes.
I like your Colossians 1:11 prayer, reliant on God we are… I often think so many fool themselves into thinking they’re not, until something goes wrong in their lives & they realise actually they are.
Lovely having you drop by ☺️
thank you for this invitation to patience, Jennifer. these seasons call for it, don’t they … toward ourselves and others.
You’re welcome Linda, that they do! I haven’t been able to comment on your site it says error all the time 🤔
Oh I’m sorry … I hate when that happens, Jennifer. If you’re a subscriber, simply hit reply and I’ll post it for you.
Hugs and apologies!
Okay ☺️
May the Lord continue to give you grace, Jennifer, as you navigate these uncharted waters of pain, other’s impatience, and just resting in His arms until the inflammation quietens. Prayerfully…
Thank you Lisa. 😊
Nice one
Thank you Joseph ☺️
I love this attitude, Jennifer! “But let me assure you that every person who is dealing with a dramatic change in life is doing the absolute best they can in trying to navigate uncharted territory!” If we could remember this, we’d be much kinder to those around us. (And to ourselves too!)
Thank you Lisa. Yes, I agree much kinder to others & ourselves! 😊
A great insight Jennifer and very needed as it is a lifelong challenge as we live in this fallen world.
Thankyou Heather 😊