What do you think is the best way to learn to be more patient? Is there any exercises that teach you how to become more patient in life?
Just to share a bit, one of my weaknesses is I am not a patient person. I like to do things fast and efficient ... I usually takes initiative (not all the time), don't mind in helping out and may expect certain things from people ... If you are a close friend of mine, you will know.
That's me and my character ... I am usually become impatient when I expect something to be done by a person (his/her responsibility) but he/she has not done it or he/she has done something far from my expectation. For example, in a group meeting, if I have asked my friend to do a particular thing, but he/she neglected it. I could have high expectations which might be a problem for some people .. :) ... but I have expectations (as most people are) .... from parents, brothers, friends, lecturers, preachers, leaders, flatmates, and so on. When everything is smooth, I can look good and smily, otherwise I become this impatient monster WHICH I REALLY HATE. I want to be more patient .. I wish I can pretend to be a patient person, but I am not ... I am who I am ... learning to be more patient, struggle with it ...
Funny enough, the bible talks about a patient God ... If you read the old testament, you will know how patient God is to His people Israel ... So many times the israelites dissapointed God, but God's mercy saved them again and again from their enemy. God was really hurt you know, no kidding ... He was hurt a lotttt ... Even Jesus cried during His walk to Jerusalem
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34)
Well, that's not really the end of the story ... Even though God is patient, yet He is just. That's why He punished Jesus on the cross. That really shows how great are the consequences of my sins and your sins .. Even so, that verse really describes how God feels about Jerusalem/God's people disobeying God .. As for me, sadly that happens too .. So many times in my life that I've dissapointed God and yet He forgave all my sins ... that's why the bible says "Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you" ... not with our own strength, our own good ...
That is good news for me ... Happy news ... Why? Because everytime I get impatient with someone, I don't have to pretend that I am patient .... coz I am not .... But I can pray to God asking for His patience in me .. trying to remember His patience and try to forgive as the Lord forgave me. After all, I do make my parents, friends, brother, flatmates angry too ... It's not like I am perfect or somethin, coz I am not .... I am who I am by His grace ...
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