Maintain the Oneness of the Spirit
Will making an issue over this difference promote unity or cause more contention?
Proverbs 19:11 "it is beauty . . . to overlook an offense"
when a fellow believer offends, upsets, or irritates you, try to view that person compassionately rather than critically
Colossians 3:12 "clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion"
We respect those who can wait for something without getting frustrated.
we could find it hard to keep waiting for Jehovah’s promised new world
a patient person is slow to anger
a patient person can wait calmly
a patient person is not rash
a patient person strives to bear trials without complaining. In this sense, patience is closely related to endurance. Of course, it is not wrong to open up to a close friend and express how we feel about a trial. However, a patient person will do his best to continue enduring while maintaining a positive attitude. Colossians 1:11 "endure fully with patience and joy"
If we were to become impatient, we might get tired of waiting and start drifting away from the truth. We could also begin to pursue things that might give us instant gratification.
Patience . . . protects us from reacting too quickly and saying something unkind when we are under stress
Pray for more patience
Meditate on Bible examples
- Jehovah, ever since the Garden of Eden
- Jesus, while on earth and awaiting the Kingdom
- Abraham
- David waited for the kingship
- Simeon and Anna waited till old age to see the Messiah
Consider the benefits of being patient; happier and calmer, for instance
How to show patience: Pause. Before responding, try to attribute [the person's] remark to something other than a deliberate attack.
Try to put the needs of your relationship above your personal needs
Will making an issue over this help our relationship or hurt it?
Learn From the Patience of Jehovah and Jesus
Jehovah has good reason for showing patience (can I find reasons for patience when I feel impatient? having a reason makes it easier)
while he is patiently waiting, Jehovah has been working to fulfill his promises—for our good (my patience can help others, even if it's just that I'm more kind and make them more comfortable around me)
No, we should never confuse his patience with inattentiveness or apathy! (patience is active, not passive)
Instead of responding angrily . . . be resolved to trust completely in Jehovah
Patience—Endurance With a Purpose
A person with godly patience endures with a purpose. He sees beyond his own needs and considers the welfare of the one causing a disagreeable situation.
(I am not sure how to learn from examining Jesus' example of patience)
Many everyday situations may test our patience. For example, if you feel that you have something important to say, you may need to exercise patience in order to avoid interrupting others.
how did Jehovah react when Abraham questioned His decision to destroy Sodom? . . . Jehovah did not interrupt as Abraham spoke. Instead, Jehovah listened patiently to each of Abraham’s questions and concerns.
from Sue
how did Jesus show patience?
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/jesus/ministry-in-judea/lessons-about-hospitality-prayer/
is the point that he was patient with Martha?
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/jesus/ministry-east-of-the-jordan/jesus-death-nears-apostles-seek-prominence/
Jesus patiently repeats lessons (in this case, seeking prominence) without making others feel foolish or unworthy because he loves them and wants what's best for them
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/jesus/final-ministry/apostles-argue/
Again, the same lesson, on the night of his death. Still he is patient, teaching the same lesson again, this time by example. He knows their culture emphasizes position so he shows understanding patience.
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/jesus/final-ministry/resurrected-appears-to-many/
Patiently explains, again, his death and resurrection, repeating to Thomas later.
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/love-people-make-disciples/lesson-8/
People take their own time to respond; some quickly, some slowly. What's important, like with James, is that they're given the opportunity. Do not compare. Pray for them. (Not just about preaching, about anything that makes me impatient.)
the patient person remains composed; the impatient one becomes hasty and irritable
Strengthening your relationship with God is the single most important step toward developing a patient disposition.
“Is there anyone suffering evil among you? Let him carry on prayer.”—James 5:10, 13.
Earnestly ask God in prayer to fortify your patience and help you control your spirit under trial. Turn to Jehovah repeatedly, and he will help you identify the circumstances or the habits of others that pose a particular threat to your composure. Praying in advance of potentially trying situations can help you to keep calm.
Love and an eagerness to forgive can calm you down when you get agitated
the humble person finds it easier to wait calmly
if you wait on Jehovah and patiently endure trials, your forbearance will result in Jehovah’s approval and blessing
Patience also promotes peace
A Chinese proverb says: “Patience in a moment of anger will spare you a hundred days of anguish.”
Patience enhances your personality, in effect coating other fine qualities with a varnish of permanence. It makes your faith durable, your peace long lasting, and your love unshakable. Being patient will help you to be joyful while practicing kindness, goodness, and mildness. Exercising patience builds up the strength essential to the cultivating of long-suffering and self-control.
Calmness and patience, even in the face of trying circumstances, further the well-being of the entire body
It is much easier for us to deal with people who are willing to overlook our minor shortcomings, who are patient with us despite our repeated failings
Some . . . may be slow to grasp things, but others may comprehend detailed instructions very quickly. Yet, this does not make inferior persons of those who are slow or more methodical! They may well excel in other areas of life—kindness, friendliness and generosity
Soon after leaving Egypt the Israelites began to complain . . . They forgot that it was Jehovah who was leading them . . . they complained about insufficient water . . . Jehovah was not going to let his people die of thirst (I don't want to complain, forgetting that Jehovah is the one leading ME to the fulfillment of his promises, forgetting that he won't let me starve emotionally as I make the difficult trek)
It does little good to worry over things you cannot control
(I am triggered by imprecise speech and inefficient actions which give me an overwhelming urge to "fix" things.)
Accept the fact that time moves at the speed of time and not at the speed of your expectations. That is patience.
None of you can add any time to your life by worrying about it Luke 12:25
Holy Bible—Easy-to-Read Version