Example

Example

Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.

Proverbs 14:29

As Christian moms, we want to be good examples to our children in the area of patience. Having said that, many of us feel that impatience is a daily struggle.

I heard a story once about a man whose car stalled in heavy traffic as the light turned green. All his efforts to start the engine failed, and a chorus of honking behind him made matters worse. He finally got out of his car, walked back to the first driver, and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get my car started. If you’ll go up there and give it a try, I’ll stay here and blow your horn for you!”

The honking drivers displayed quick tempers and folly. Patient people are usually people of understanding. Because they are not looking out only for themselves, they are generally not hasty or impulsive. When pain, difficulty, or annoyance come into their lives, they are willing to stand back and attempt to evaluate a situation with some degree of calm.

Quick-tempered people, on the other hand, become angry or irritable very easily. They don’t have a good perspective on any given situation, which stems from their lack of thought about other people’s needs.

The more we grow in Christ, the more patient we become, because patience is one of the evidences that God’s Spirit is present and working in our lives.

Father,

Please help us learn what it means to be patient. We want to be good examples to our children. Amen.