God’s Word Helps Us to Be Patient in Provoking Times

My daughter asked me a question while we were driving home from school one day: “Do you ever get so mad with someone, Mom, that you want to hit them? This boy made me so mad today that I really wanted to hit him!” I could see that she knew what she wanted to do was wrong. I replied, trying to be honest and spiritual at the same time, “Well, that is what we call having a war with our flesh and having to die to the old self. We have to ask God to help us overcome those feelings with His help.”

Just then a careless driver nearly drove into us and in shock I yelled at him to be careful. My daughter looked at me through her long eyelashes and said, “Was that the flesh, Mom?” I smiled knowing that we, as His children, are never immune from this battle no matter how old or young. God’s Word encourages us in this earthly campaign. Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope” (kjv). Increasing patience in the believer’s life is a sign of the working of the Holy Spirit in his or her life. It has been said that patience is the ability to count down before you blast off!

Dear heavenly Father, You see my comings and goings each day. There are times I find myself in situations when my flesh rises up and I have to call upon Your name to help me exercise self-control. Forgive me when I do not recognize this instantly and fail to call upon Your name and walk in Your ways. Help me to be patient with all even though I may feel intense provocation. Dear Lord, so indwell my being that when I am provoked to an ungodly reaction, I will spill over with Your love, grace, patience, and self-control. It is Your love the world needs to see. May I display this love because of Your great love and perfect example. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.