Tempered
'Spirits'
A gentle
soul soothes the savage beast but there
are times when even a gentle soul explodes.
Five minutes later they may be on their
knees asking God for forgiveness and 'please
give me patience', but even the most gentle
of we-humans have our breaking point.
By dear
old dad use to tell a story in the pulpit
about a lady who went to her minister seeking
patience, requesting that he place her at
the top of his prayer list.
The
minister instantly dropped to his knees,
drawing the lady down with him to pray.
His prayer went something like this:
"Oh
God, please send much heartache to our dear
sister. May her days be long and weary and
full of troubles."
Suddenly,
the lady hopped up and spat out, "How
dare you ask God for such terrible things!
I thought that I made it clear that I desired
patience!"
The
minister rose and taking her hand in his,
he reminded her of the scriptures which
teach, "tribulation worketh patience."
At that,
the lady jerked away her hand, suddenly
deciding that she didn't desire patience
- not one little bit because the price for
patience was simply too high.
So the
next time that you find yourself short on
cash with a broken car and suddenly the
parent of seven dogs which somebody eased
out of their truck in front of your house
before burning rubber, think of your experience
as a lesson in patience. Keep in mind that
situations can change rapidly and the more
prayers that go up, the more rapid the change
can be.
Romans,
Chapter 5 - Verses 1 - 5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not
only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And
hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by
the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
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