Impatience is the Fruit of Pride

Do you know how long I've struggled with impatience? I'm sure some of you may suffer from impatience as well. I know I'm not the only person struggling with this. Have you ever felt as though you deserved something you may have prayed for and you wanted it "yesterday"? Or have you ever wanted something that you felt you had a right to, and instead of staying in a good mood while waiting for it, you begin to complain about every one and everything thing? I'm sure some of you know what I mean. DON'T ALL RAISE YOUR HANDS AT ONCE!! (Smiling).

Seriously though, this was me at one time. Impatience is the fruit of pride. And the only answer to pride is humility. To prevent being prideful and thinking too highly of oneself, we have to humble our self. Now, I'm not telling you to think down on yourself...that's not the plan at all. I'm telling you to stop believing you can do everything through your own will, in your own time...stop believing that you deserve everything right now. And just allow God to work things out in His perfect timing. Doing this will help you learn to be patient.

You see, patience is not the ability to wait. It's actually the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting... A humble person will not display an impatient attitude towards God or man. And figuring since we actually spend more time in our lives waiting on things than we do receiving them, why not learn to enjoy the waiting period? Why not wait with a humble heart? So my practice is being in good spirits while waiting... Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, while impatience is the fruit of pride.

Keep in mind that it is not our job to control our circumstances; we are, however, expected to respond to circumstances in a godly manner. We're not following this spirit when we allow ourselves to become frustrated or impatient.

Once feeling frustrated or impatient it's recommended that we say a little prayer like, "Lord, I want Your will in Your timing. I do not want to be ahead of You, nor do I want to be behind You. Help me, Father, to wait patiently on You!"

- Joyce Meyers "Battlefield of the Mind" - Ch. 20

Patience is a learned skill that should be sought by many...