Thank you, God, for your wisdom…found in the Proverbs:A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
(Proverbs 14:29)
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18)
Father, I noticed that The Message translation replaces the word patience with slowness to anger and a calm, cool spirit.
And St. Paul, in his letters, bookends patience with understanding, kindness, peace, endurance and humility.
Lord Christ, this is all quite elusive. As Fruits of the Spirit go, patience has been slow to ripen for me…or maybe it has just shriveled up.
What are the underpinnings of impatience? Selfishness? Fear? High anxiety/low trust?
Holy Spirit, make listening my default. Give me greater trust in your guiding hand. I need an infusion of calm and cool. Amen.
