Appreciate Differences
Patience, Patience, Patience
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
You’ve, no doubt, heard the three keys to all valuable real estate: location, location, location. A marriage, gone bad is one where patience was absent. A good marriage is found where partners practice patience with each other. The reason is clearly in the definition of the word: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint – manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain. So – I say to you that the three keys to a healthy marriage are: patience, patience, patience!
It is true that “opposites often attract.” It is also true that “after the honeymoon” – it is no longer “fun” to be faced with such differences. These differences often become a trial, pain and strain! Making a bad marriage into a good one must include the elimination of impatience, and mega doses of godly patience. The good news is we can ask God for His divine help in this area. He knows how to increase patience in our lives. Patience is a fruit (result) of God’s Spirit in us (Galatians 5:22). The apostle Paul also writes that God will strengthen us with “all” power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…” (Colossians 1:11).
If you are in a relationship that has gone, or is going, bad – let me suggest that you start praying for God’s inner strength in “you!” Remember the words of Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.” The reason patience is so critical, in a marriage situation, is that patience allows us to calmly consider the other person’s perspective. Remember our definition: “Bearing…without complaint,” that is essential to good listening. A patient marriage partner calmly listens without interrupting, asking questions and seeking understanding!
Father, I request your inner work in me. Your ‘glorious might’ is exactly what I must have to be the person of patience my spouse needs me to be! I ask this in Jesus Name, amen.