And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
Be Patient
The online insurance quote generator, Insurance Hotline, does periodic studies showing what Canadian drivers are willing to anonymously reveal what they do on our roads, and what they think. Because we are all about the pandemic now after more than two years of its disruptions, it’s not surprising that the stress of living through these times is having an impact on all of us. 95 per cent of Ontario drivers recently admit to aggressive and road rage-like behaviours when behind the wheel.
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We live in an impatient world. Just watch anyone waiting in line at a fast food drive through if they have to wait any more than a minute or two. Patience doesn’t come naturally for people – it’s a sign of our sinful nature. Patience is, however, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and should be evident in the life of a follower of Jesus. No wonder Paul gives these instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:14: “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” God wants the best for His people. He wants us to live a life of victory, a life under the control of the Holy Spirit. So He calls us to speak into each other’s lives, encouraging each other to represent Jesus well. That includes coming alongside those in the family of God, encouraging them, and being patient with them. This is a lesson we desperately need to learn in this day, when too many people seem short-fused. It doesn’t take long on social media to see just how short those fuses are. If you are a follower of Christ, be patient.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley