Patience-Endurance With a Purpose - HOW TO DEVELOP PATIENCE

To cultivate the quality of patience, we must pray for the help of Jehovah's spirit, which he gives to those who trust in him and rely on him.  (Luke 11:13)  As powerful as God's spirit is, however, we need to do our part and work in harmony with our prayers.  (Psalm 86:10, 11)  This means that we must do our best to exercise our patience each day in order for this quality to take root in our heart. Yet, even then, we may need to do more to make patience a permanent aspect of our personality.  What else can help us? 

We can develop patience by examining and imitating Jesus' perfect example.  In harmony with that example, the apostle Paul under inspiration described "the new personality,"  which includes "patience," and then he urged us to "let the peace of the Christ rule in [our] hearts."  (Colossians 3:10, 12, 15)  We can let such peace "rule" in our hearts by imitating Jesus' unbreakable faith that in His due time, God will correct matters that concern us.  When we follow Jesus' example, we will not be provoked into losing our patience, no matter what may be happening around us. -John 14:27; 16:33.

Although we are eager to see God's promised new world, we learn to be more patient when we meditate on Jehovah's patience with us.  The Scriptures assure us:  "Jehovah is not slow concerning  his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance."  (2 Peter 3:9)  As we contemplate Jehovah's patience with us,  are we not moved to be more patient with others?  (Romans 2:4)  With that in mind, what are some circumstances that call for patience?

Next time: Patience -Enduring With a Purpose - SITUATIONS THAT CALL FOR PATIENCE

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