Oh my. I have to say that I struggle a little bit with Beth’s connection of patience and forgiveness. I don’t have a problem with the connection of patience and endurance, or with patience and mercy. But forgiveness? Maybe I just don’t get it.
I was pondering today about the situations when I get impatient. With others and myself. Yeah, I have a huge problem being impatient with myself. Strange thing? I don’t know. Is there no such thing as being impatient with oneself?
You know when I get impatient with others? When I have to deal with incompetence. How can I forgive or not forgive, if people don’t display competence. You know what I mean? When I call someone to get something resolved and they send me around in circles, because they don’t know what they are talking about. Can you help me out? Does this really have to do with forgiveness? Okay, I am not saying that I know EVERYTHING, but I try to learn enough to know what I am talking about or do a decent job. Yes, I can display mercy toward incompetent people. So, mercy = forgiveness? I told you that I am missing something here.
As I mentioned above, I sure have a huge issue with not being patient with myself. So, does this mean I am harboring some unforgiveness in my heart? I told you. I don’t get the connection at all. Help me out – please. I am poking on this issue totally in the dark.
Maybe this part of my morning devotion will help me to get the connection:
“Don’t get impatient with others. Remember how God dealt with you – with patience and with gentleness…â€
(excerpt taken from “My Utmost For His Highest†by Oswald Chambers)…
Have a blessed weekend ~ Living in His Grace ~ Eph2810
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This is a list of the women participating in the study and the links to their blogs. New postings on the study will be published for the next ten weeks, between Friday 8pm – Saturday 8am. Please feel free to visit each of us and comment. Everyone is welcome to participate in this discussion as we seek to live beyond ourselves. May God bless you richly from the hearing of His Word. |
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The connection I made between forgiveness and patience is that unforgiveness (from any part of our lives – not necessarily toward the person who frustrates us) acts like a dam for mercy. When I have bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart, I clog up the places where the Holy Spirit COULD be filling me with mercy. So if a clerk in Target is rude – odds are I would be more patient with her if I have a merciful spirit. But if I’m bitter because of things I haven’t forgiven, lacking my full measure of mercy – then I may be a little more likely to “bite back” and be impatient. Does that make sense? I don’t think it’s that mercy equals forgiveness…I think it’s that mercy FUELS forgiveness.
But then again, what do I know? 🙂
I love your honesty! And I love the Oswald Chambers quote, too.
I like BooMama’s answer. She had a good comment on my post, too.
It sounds like you and I had similar thoughts during the past week’s study. I’m gaining more insight as I hit other posts in the group, too. 😉
hey! sorry it’s been so long since i’ve visited but i’m trying to get back to “normal”….whatever that is lol.
hope things are going well for you. and thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!
blessings!
lisa
I feel the same way sometimes. I think we all do at times afterall we are just human.
The connection surprised me too Iris but I was able to see it as the study went on. I think BooMama explained it pretty good (she has a way with words doesn’t she).
I feel like I haven’t been by here (or hardly any blogs really) in ages! I hope your job is going well. We’re in a constant state of organized chaos around here lol.
((HUGS))
The connection I’d like to make of it is that when a person hurts us, particularly a close friend or a loved one, we feel that our trust is violated. But because we love this person, we forgive them for hurting us. but this does not mean that just because he or she hurt us once, that she has suddenly changed her ways and will most likely not do us hurt again. This is to me where patience comes in….. But this is my version, hehe 🙂
Hope you’re feeling well! My pregnancy’s doing fine, though I’ve posted new updates about it too 🙂
Hey,
I don’t have my patience entry up yet, I still have to watch the video! But, I hope to have it up by tomorrow and then I can do session seven over the weekend or something…
Anyways, for me I see the connection between forgiveness and patience as this: Without patience one cannot forgive. Simple as that.
For example, say someone cuts you off while driving. With patience you can immediately let it slide, bless the other driver and go on about your business.
I personally cannot bring myself to get angry over incompetence because I feel incompetent most of the time. So I hope I don’t make most people feel like you do! For all incompetent people I apologize 🙂