Patience or Stress?

Here are a few things that I know about patience and stress. 

Having patience will help relieve some stress. 

Trying to find patience will cause stress. 

If you are patient, you will find what you are looking for. 

If you are in a hurry, you will find stress easily. 

True, some people will test your patience. 

Remember, your patience will test others.  

People who are impatient will be aggravated by your patience. 

Patience is the ability to wait for knowledge and wisdom to do their job.  

Being patient with yourself is tough.  Being patient with a team is tougher. 

The reward for being patient is better than the reward you receive from being in a hurry.  

Mark 6:7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

When I think about teamwork and patience, I always think about Jesus (being patient) and the 12 disciples (His team).  For around 3 years Jesus patiently worked with the 12.  He taught them, rebuked them, cared for them and loved them.  But they never really came together as a team until after His ascension.  Did Jesus ever get, "stressed out" with them?  I think so.  But His patience far outweighed his stress.  

What did Jesus do to gain patience and deal with His stress?

- He prayed.  Jesus prayed often and passionately.  He gave His stress to His Father in Heaven. 

- He followed His Father.  He said that He only did what He would see His Father do.  

- He obeyed His core values.  He made love His primary focus, not His personal needs.  

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, You know that it's hard to be patient.  But I am willing to wait on You for my wisdom and knowledge today.  AMEN