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As a mother to a young toddler and experiencing my second pregnancy, I find myself always on the verge of losing my patience...an area I used to have much control over. I'm not really sure what has caused this lapse, but I'm guessing it is a combination of hormones, overall fatigue and the never-ending questions and running commentary from my young daughter. However, probably a deeper problem is my relationship with God, or lack thereof. While trying to care for a family when I don't even feel like taking care of myself, I find myself sinking into a dangerous abyss away from God, at a time when I should be clinging to him the most. I took a little time to look up Scripture about patience, particularly about being slow to anger/wrath. Many of the verses concern God himself, and how he is slow to anger. Others are concerned with awaiting the second coming of Christ. But I feel these specifically deal with our behavior and relationships with others:
"A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife." Proverbs 15:18
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Proverbs 16:32
I think the key verse that spoke to my heart was James 1:19: "Where, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." When dealing with my daughter, my husband, or anyone in my life, I would best be served by applying this verse. I need to listen to the needs and desires of the other person, I need to choose my words carefully and I need to calmly react to the situation as appropriate.
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