For as a (wo)man thinketh, so is (s)he - Proverbs 23:7a
I used to think that 'patience' meant enduring or putting up with something or someone. For example, you're exhibiting patience by 'putting up with' traffic or an annoying younger sibling. But recently I was watching Pastor Creflo Dollar and he gave a more logical definition for patience. Pastor Dollar described patience as being consistent, unwavering and committed in your response to any situation. And as I thought about the definition, it made sense. To exhibit patience in one sense is putting up with whatever is happening around you but in actuality it is your ability to respond to any situation the same, as you exhibit self-control, every time. In other words, everytime you hit traffic, instead of swearing or raising your blood pressure, you take the time to meditate or listen to your favorite CD. And you response would be similar to dealing with an angry client or unforseen chaos in your life.
So, today's thought came from me taking an inventory of all the people that try my patience. There are things in life that try my patience but I know God brought people in my life to try my patience, if for nothing else, to make me into a woman of grace and patience. I'm telling you, anyone who knows me well knows that when people get on my nerves, I have a tendency to lose my cool. I'm proud to say that i've come a far way from that Margo I used to be to the point that i'd say 90% of the time, i'm able to hold my tongue now. But that's more than I can say about what's happening in my mind. Let me tell you how someone could do the dumbest thing and I can feel the words coming out about to slap them in their face for even uttering such foolishness. But I stop... out loud... and then cuss them in my head in like four different languages that I don't even know.
And that is my current struggle. I'm learning to master my tongue but my mind is giving me a hard time. Which brings me back to my original thought... God brings people and/or things into our lives to try our patience, to teach us to exhibit consistent, unwavering, self-controlled behaviour every time. Therefore, even though I don't cuss these people out to their face, I really shouldn't be cussing them in my head either. I'm trying to get to the point that their foolishness doesn't even faze me to the point that when I laugh out loud or smile at their ignorance, it's genuine as oppose to just a cover for the evil that wants to spew out of my mouth. I want to get to the point that foolish behaviour, whether it's at work, at home or on the street, will provoke the same response from me... peace and self-control, from my tongue and in my mind.
You guys are going have to pray for me because this has been a long time coming and I didn't realize how serious it was until I stopped cussing people out with my mouth. I must get control of my mind in order for me to reach my full potential in Christ. Further, if I'm so busy cussing people out in my head (in four languages that I don't know) how am I supposed to hear what God has to say to me? How am I supposed to hear His instruction and know where to go and what to do next? So, i'm determined. This has been quite a journey for me thus far and I feel like I'm on the home stretch. I will overcome and reap the benefits and all the blessings God has in store for me. Whoever is with me, say 'amen'.
So, today's thought came from me taking an inventory of all the people that try my patience. There are things in life that try my patience but I know God brought people in my life to try my patience, if for nothing else, to make me into a woman of grace and patience. I'm telling you, anyone who knows me well knows that when people get on my nerves, I have a tendency to lose my cool. I'm proud to say that i've come a far way from that Margo I used to be to the point that i'd say 90% of the time, i'm able to hold my tongue now. But that's more than I can say about what's happening in my mind. Let me tell you how someone could do the dumbest thing and I can feel the words coming out about to slap them in their face for even uttering such foolishness. But I stop... out loud... and then cuss them in my head in like four different languages that I don't even know.
And that is my current struggle. I'm learning to master my tongue but my mind is giving me a hard time. Which brings me back to my original thought... God brings people and/or things into our lives to try our patience, to teach us to exhibit consistent, unwavering, self-controlled behaviour every time. Therefore, even though I don't cuss these people out to their face, I really shouldn't be cussing them in my head either. I'm trying to get to the point that their foolishness doesn't even faze me to the point that when I laugh out loud or smile at their ignorance, it's genuine as oppose to just a cover for the evil that wants to spew out of my mouth. I want to get to the point that foolish behaviour, whether it's at work, at home or on the street, will provoke the same response from me... peace and self-control, from my tongue and in my mind.
You guys are going have to pray for me because this has been a long time coming and I didn't realize how serious it was until I stopped cussing people out with my mouth. I must get control of my mind in order for me to reach my full potential in Christ. Further, if I'm so busy cussing people out in my head (in four languages that I don't know) how am I supposed to hear what God has to say to me? How am I supposed to hear His instruction and know where to go and what to do next? So, i'm determined. This has been quite a journey for me thus far and I feel like I'm on the home stretch. I will overcome and reap the benefits and all the blessings God has in store for me. Whoever is with me, say 'amen'.
Be Blessed in CONTROLLING YOUR MIND
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:3
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