Contrary to what you might think, you don’t have to wait for a major trial to develop patience. We have wonderful opportunities in all those small but irritating situations we encounter every day.

In fact, developing your patience a little at a time, in all those everyday situations, is what will build a foundation for you to stand on when major trials come.

I ran into one such situation once in the grocery store. I was in a hurry, so I chose the express line. There were only a couple of people in line and they just had a few items to buy, so I didn’t think it would take long.

But that clerk was so slow! As my frustration mounted I thought, They ought to put a sign here that says “Slow-Motion Line”!

What was that? An opportunity to exercise patience.

Such opportunities are important, because when you exercise patience, it grows. If you’ll use it in small things, it will be strong enough to handle the bigger things when they come along. Every fruit of the spirit increases in you as you exercise it.

Remember that the next time some little aggravation is about to make you lose your temper. Instead of saying, “I’ve had it,” say, “No, in Jesus’ Name, I choose to yield to the force of patience God has put within me. I believe I’ll just count this slow grocery line to be a joy and use it as an opportunity to grow!”

Speak the Word

« I let patience have her perfect work, that I may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. »  (James 1:4)