Finding Patience and Prudence

Being patient, better yet...having patience and prudence.....what a great combo.

All the stuff that goes on in life today usually happens so quickly, you hardly get a chance to see it go by. In fact, you often get the feeling that if you aren't making decisions quickly, that somehow you will "miss the boat."

It's no wonder God is very specific in His Word about patience and prudence.

Proverbs 22:3 (New Living Translation), "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

1. caution with regard to practical matters; discretion. 2. regard for one's own interests. 3. provident care in the management of resources; economy; frugality.

That's not to say you are to be miserly with your resources or only be concerned about your own welfare. Rather, it relates to making decisions AFTER you've taken the time to gather all the facts, NOT before. And of course, this entire process requires patience.

Patience is something you develop as you find yourself in the middle of a situation that requires it. UGH. That means the only time you can practice patience is when you HAVE to because of your current circumstances. So just a warning......if you ask God to give you more patience, you can bet you'll find yourself in a situation where you're going to need it!
And remember, being both patient and prudent doesn't mean things are going to magically fall into place. If it isn't God's timing, things aren't going to move any faster......but the wait will be alot more pleasant if you're not all stressed out.

Whenever a situation arises that requires patience and prudence, it is almost always an opportunity to grow in some area. God always uses these times to bring something out of you that needs to come out and stay out.

But, if you fail the test, and are impatient, God will put you right back in another situation to see if you've learned anything. I guess you might as well use the patience and prudence God gave you, pass the test, and get on with life. Otherwise, you'll be taking yet another trip around the same mountain. What a concept.....

So...here are some GREAT BOOKS on patience and prudence to help you get things rolling.

Galatians 6:9: And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

I Thessalonians 5:14-15: And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line (the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly); encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, and be very patient with everybody (always keeping your temper).

See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.

In Proverbs 22:3 (New Living Translation), it says "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

Print and Pray

Lord,

You are an awesome God, worthy of every praise. The creator of all things, yet You still care about the things that concern me.

You can surely see that I'm not doing very well being patient or prudent. I need your help God. The next time I'm in a trying situation, please help me to see all the facts, and be patient enough not to make bad decisions or mistreat anyone. Please forgive me for the times I've mistreated people. I can see that I was wrong in expecting everyone to be perfect and to do things when I want them done.

Please continue to do a work in me. I know I can't change myself, but with Your grace, I can. Your Word says that apart from You I can do nothing.

Lord, continue to work with me to make me into a kind, patient, and prudent person so I can continue to move forward in all You have for me.

Thank You Lord, for listening to me. Thank You for working in me.

In Jesus' name I ask all things.

AMEN!

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