Friday, April 20, 2012

Patience Is A Painful Process

James 1:4 ~ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing
KJV version
Patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit.  So to be complete in the fruit of the Spirit we must obtain patience.
Nothing comes easy when change is involved.  And nothing involving patience is either.  When we ask our Heavenly Father to change our hearts, our lives, our marriage, what ever it is we want Him to change in us, we have to expect challenges to come our way.  We aren't going to simply get up in the morning and everything be perfect the way we hoped it to be.  No! Change is a work in progress and with progress we must be patient.
I learned a long time ago from a dear friend and Bible study teacher that I want to share with you.  She told me "Never, ever ask God for patience.  Ask God for His strength to get you through this challenging time in your life so that when you come through to the other side of the challenge you will be made a more patient person."  I asked her "Why?"  She gave me a perfect analogy.  She said, "You have 3 children don't you?"  I said,  "Yes?"  She continued,  "Well when you put them to bed at night after a difficult day; did you say" Mommy loves you so much and I know that tomorrow when you wake up we won't have to battle over, don't touch, don't do, don't....." Even if you thought it, did you really believe that?"  I thought for a moment and sighed.  "No....I guess not".  She said "And tomorrow comes and you still will have to teach them what things they can do and what things they can not do, what things they can touch and what things they can not.  You see, patience is the same way.  God must teach us patience, it is not easy, but it is a part of the fruit of the Spirit that we all must learn in order to become complete in our Faith."
Abba Father, Thank You for being my strength.  I know you are changing me.  I feel the difference in me and I hope other can also.  Father I am struggling to be patient during this challenging and uncertain time of our life.  I do hope You will continue the work in me.  And I pray for your strength to keep me strong.  I know the enemy wants just the opposite to happen though.  Please do not let him see my doubt and times of self-pity.  Keep me strong in my Faith so I can bring Glory to You.  Thank You for Your words of wisdom Father.  Amen.

These are some words that God has placed on my heart to ponder on when I need a pick me up:
Praise, Thanksgiving, Peace, Trust, Faith, Love, Patience, Mercy, Grace, Hope, Power, Joy, Victory, Strength, Glory, Truth, Promise, Wisdom, Believe, Worship, Honor, Encourage, Rejoice.
Please visit my other blog: http://upsidedownperfection.blogspot.com/

Blessings,
Betsy  ♥

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

This is one of my favorite verses. I use to think that all I had to do was love God and He would give me what I wanted. Sounds good...Right?......Wrong! As I began to grow in my relationship with my Heavenly Father, I soon realized that isn't at all what He is saying to me. To delight in the Lord meant that He wanted me to have such a strong reverent, respectful, longing to be with, longing to obey, relationship with Him; that the desires of my heart would soon be turned to what He was desiring for my life.
 Submission. Wanting to do nothing but to please (obey) my Heavenly Father.
Blessings,
Betsy ♥

http://upsidedownperfection.blogspot.com/