PATIENT HUMBLE AND GENTLE

 

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

-Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

-Proverbs 16:32 (NIV)

The Word of God  teaches  such supreme  virtues like gentleness, patience, humility and self-control. These are qualities which mark the  life of a mature  Christian, but sadly lacking in most.  Most of us are still impatient, self-centered, impulsive, unkind, even, overbearing.  Only the Spirit controlled life can ever hope to strive mastery of these wonderful qualities of Christlikeness.

I admire a person who has self-control. He has learned to rule over his spirit. Self-control is hard to come by in this corrupt and self-gratifying world . Tempers flare up  and almost everyone you meet or encounter is hypersensitive.  The overwhelming sense of entitlement afflict many that they give free reign to their impulses which lead to destructive behavior.

Almost everything today is fast and quick  or should be because we have no patience in waiting. Fast and quick meals should be dished out. Transactions are completed with the swipe of a card. Documents are sent in seconds at the press of button.  We get upset when made to que in line. We want immediate results .

But God’s word  tells us we would be better off if we were patient, humble, and gentle. We cannot escape the changing of seasons. God’s word  says we have to employ the coping mechanism of humility, patience, forbearance, and self control, in dealing with the  troubles, imperfections,  unpredictability and difficulties  inherent in this fallen world. One of the most encouraging   promises found in God’s word is in Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. To those who are called according to his purpose.”

Since God is in control, why fret?