Uncategorized

Envy has serious consequences and devastating affects on us and those around us, and it must be confronted aggressively.

I shared in the last devotional about God’s view on envy. This devotional examines some of the Biblical characters’ choices and the serious affects that envy had in their lives.

Envy leads to evil and confusion

The scripture in James 3:16 tells us: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

Because of its subtle nature, envy can easily get hidden from people’s eyes, but that’s not the point or the goal. Those who operate in envy open the door to confusion and every evil activity. We see the perfect example of this in Adam & Eve.

Eve was tempted to take the fruit in the Garden because it would make her wise. The serpent told her that the reason God didn’t want them to eat of the fruit was because they were going to be like God. The truth was she didn’t intimidate God, neither was He afraid of having a competition! Eve was the one who was trying to be like God by taking the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil; then Adam followed suit. That wasn’t God’s plan for their lives. Adam & Eve overstepped their boundary in desiring something that didn’t belong to them which led them to sin, evil, and separation from God!

Envy causes moral corruption

“A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

Bones are an invisible parts in the body, but they are the ones that shape one’s frame. Envy goes to the core of the person and disfigures their identity. Envy eats away at the person from the inside out. It takes away their joy and peace and replaces it with discontentment, hatred, and resentment.

Cain became jealous of the fact that Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and his wasn’t. The jealousy led him to killing his brother. The Lord told him,

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Genesis 4:7

God had a solution and a desire to accept Cain, but Cain refused to follow God’s instruction and instead he became envious of his brother who was doing it right.

David coveted Uriah’s wife, which led to adultery with Bathsheba and eventually killing Uriah. God chastised David by allowing the baby conceived in adultery to die. Nathan the prophet spoke the word of the Lord to David by saying:

I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! 2 Samuel 12:8

The Lord had abundantly blessed David with much provision. David wasn’t suffering from lack. In addition, God was willing to give him more if he had asked for it. David was just being selfish!

This is an important principle to remember. The root of envy is not lack, but it is selfish desires and pride.  We can’t give ourselves permission to covet or desire someone’s blessings. God has allotted possessions  and blessings to all of us. However, it doesn’t mean that we will have everything we want. When we appreciate the blessings we already possess, they increase in value before our eyes. If we don’t value what we have already have, no amount of possession, status, or position can satisfy us because there is always more to be had!

Let’s ask God to uproot any deep-seated envy in our hearts. Every root, tentacle, branch, and fruit of envy must get annihilated.  Don’t give it any room or excuses. Repent from envy. That’s not God’s method of blessing us. It is opposed to His kingdom principles. If we want to be on God’s side, we can’t have envy and expect him to bless it.

For comments, please email me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com

Envy is an insidious condition of the heart which causes great damage to the person and those around them. The Bible speaks very strongly against envy and coveting. If we desire to live a victorious and loving life as a Christian, we cannot tolerate envy in our lives!

Envy is generally symptomatic of other issues. Lack of thankfulness and doubting God’s best for us, causes envy in one’s heart. This leads one to overstepping God’s boundary of provision and giving ourselves permission to be in someone else’s lot!

Definition of “envy” according to Webster’s Dictionary:

1. The feeling of wanting to have what someone else has : someone or something that causes envy.

2. Painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage

Dare not to compare

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

Paul clearly states that comparing ourselves to each other is not wise. It opens the door to envy and competition. People start entertaining ideas that are beyond their personal boundary and are inappropriate: “How come she is married and I’m not!?” “My coworker got a promotion on the job already. He’s only been here for a couple of years. I have been working for 5 years without a promotion.“ “I want those jeans she’s wearing. She looks too cute in them. I have to find a pair.” “I work harder than others that’s why I am the favorite!”  “He’s already preaching. That’s not fair. I should be preaching. I am more qualified.” Comparison shuts off our love valve and leaves us either bankrupt or too proud by the comparison we have made.

DO NOT ENTER someone else’s possession

Do not desire anything that belongs to your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that tis your neighbor’s.” Exodus 20:17

 Definition of “covet” according to Webster’s Dictionary:

1. to wish for earnestly <covet an award>

2.  to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpably

The Ten Commandments address coveting very strongly. The Lord has given much detail about the things that shouldn’t be coveted. Basically, anything that is owned by someone else cannot be coveted. There is a DO NOT ENTER sign in front of their lot; we are not permitted by the Lord to enter in.

It is not up to us to determine who deserves good things. The person who has those possessions may or may not be stewarding them well. Ultimately if we are envious of someone else or covet what they have, it is more about the condition of heart and our lack of love for the person.

Do you have a tendency to compare yourself to others? Do you find it difficult to be happy for others’ successes especially those that you have been comparing yourself to?

Let’s start by thanking God for what we already have. Ask the Lord to expose any envy in your heart towards someone. Pray for that person and bless them.

For  comments, please email me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com.

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 1Corinthians 2:2-3

Unlike Gideon who had no successes in his life before the call of God, Paul used to be a very strong and determined man prior to knowing Christ. Paul was a successful and accomplished man as a Jewish religious leader. However, when he came to know Jesus, he found that all his natural strength and determination did not produce life. He actually found himself bankrupt in many ways, because his courage, and zeal had caused much pain for him and for the people of God.

Paul had come to an understanding of his true condition without Christ. He wasn’t proud of a boldness that made him a hypocritical Pharisee and ordered persecution of God’s people. As a transformed man, he was willing to give up his strength. He chose weakness, so God’s power can rest on him.

Paul tells us that he came in trembling before the people. That’s an important statement. There are many who think they need to be strong, confident, and bold if they are going to minister and preach to people. That was not Paul’s testimony. He had a trembling that feared God in ministering to people. In the past when he ministered to people as a Pharisee, he modeled intolerance, and encouraged persecution of true believers. He didn’t want to get this wrong again.

When we are ministering to people, are we coming in trembling? Do we model the right attitude and behavior before people? Do we fear God in the counsel we provide for individuals? Do we have a heart for reconciliation in the advise we give others for their troubled relationships? Do we restrain ourselves from being the voice of the Holy Spirit in their lives? Are we able to just share in humility what we have to offer and give them room to seek the Lord’s will?

Paul’s failures had taught him not to trust in his own strength anymore. He now was a humble and soft man. Hopefully the same is true for us. If we’ve had a failed marriage, broken relationship with a child, or a failed business, we approach things with greater humility. We don’t claim we have all the answers. We become less dogmatic in our stance. We’re more understanding of those who don’t get it right. We are more patient with God’s process in others’ lives because we remember He was patient with us.

Paul had resolved to know nothing except Jesus and him crucified.  He had determined Jesus is the answer to everything in life and unless He gave Him revelation knowledge and wisdom, he didn’t know anything. He found being in a place of weakness was truly a place of strength in Jesus! The same is true for us.  When we are willing to surrender our intelligent minds, our strong emotions, our sharp tongues, and our feisty will, we will gain Christ! Our natural strength has to continually be given over to death, so the life of Christ and His strength can be perfected in us.

For comments, please email me at Karlinefischer@yahoo.com.

Our culture thrives on being strong, courageous, and bold in order to be successful. The same mindset has infiltrated the Christian perspective. Many believe that unless they are strong and courageous they are not qualified to do God’s work.

The Bible is the story of weak and unqualified people who were empowered and enabled by God to do what they could not do on their own. Gideon is a great example of one who considered himself weak, but God chose him as His warrior.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Judges 6:12

Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”  So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” Judges 6:14-15

The Israelites had been in a place of defeat due to their disobedience to the Lord. Rightly so, Gideon did not see himself as a man of courage and strength. He spoke about his clan being the weakest in the tribe, and he considered himself as the least in his family.

In the natural, Gideon did not have the qualification to be considered strong, neither did he have previous accomplishments for him to be called a man of valor. Gideon looked at himself and his family background and didn’t see himself as a strong warrior. However, God was looking at Gideon’s future and his potential through His mighty hands.

Some of us may consider ourselves unqualified. We don’t think we can accomplish much because we are focused on ourselves or our past. We may have come from a dysfunctional home, broken marriage, bad choices, fears, or addictions as a result we see ourselves as weak and incapable.

The Lord isn’t necessarily looking for naturally strong people. He is looking for people who are believing in His estimation of them. He wants us to be willing to trust him in our weakness and rely on Him to empower us to do His work. It is also important to surround ourselves with people who are willing to pull greatness out of us. Those who are not focused on the immature person we used to be, but they see the hand of God in our lives strengthening us to do what we could not do in the past.

When God speaks and we believe Him, we are stronger and more powerful than any human ability or experience can give us. Fortunately, Gideon didn’t stay stuck in his own estimation of himself or his family background.  He allowed God to confirm and affirm His hand in his life.

What are the areas that you consider yourself weak? It could be that you are an emotional person, so you try to hide behind others stronger than you. You may fear that unless I look strong and bold they are not going to approve of me. You could have an issue with anger, and you’re afraid that if you get too close to someone, people may find out about your anger issues. You could have a problem with organization, so you’ve lost hope in completing things because you can’t stay focused.

Gideon had to stop looking at his past, in order to move forward in God’s purpose. He had to have a change of mind and focus on what God said about Him. The same is true for all of us. Praise God for His strength in our weakness!

For comments, please email me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com.

The Lord is an amazing and generous provider for all of us! The scripture tells us we have everything we need for life and godliness. Every provision comes from Him. We would not be able to know Him, have a family, hold a job, get an education, or work hard if it wasn’t for his provision of life, faith, health, opportunities, and talents.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!?How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; Psalm 139:17-18b

If you have ever tried counting sand in the palm of your hand, you know how futile it is doing it. The scripture tells us that God’s thoughts towards us outnumber the grains of sand. The goodness of God causes Him to think about everything we need to ensure we walk successfully on this earth.

When my son was getting ready to go college six months ago, we made sure he had everything he needed for going to a new school and staying in the dorm. Our concern didn’t end with what classes he was going to take and what textbooks he needed. We had a long list of everything he needed for school: bedding, pillow, sheets, socks, and even soap and toothpaste.  We did not leave out any detail! Our desire was to provide everything he needed, so he can feel settled in his new place.

Most of us will go to great lengths to provide for the needs’ of our children. If our thoughts and our prayers are so many for our children, how much more are God’s thoughts towards us?

If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Luke 11:11

If we ever struggle with God’s goodness towards us, the above scripture is a great reminder of how much God loves his children. For those of us who are parents, we know how excited we are to give good gifts to our children. When our children ask us for something, we cheerfully want to give them what we are capable of. There is no hesitation in our hearts. We’re not trying to give them something inferior. If they ask us for food, we will ensure we’re getting them good and nutritious food. We wouldn’t give them something that would make them sick, or it’s really bad for them.

How is it that we as imperfect people are desiring to give good gifts to our children, but we don’t believe that God desires to bring good into our lives? It’s our heavenly father who put that kind of love in our hearts in the first place. Let’s thank Him for His amazing love and goodness!!

Finally, His goodness caused him to be merciful and provide salvation for humanity. As sinners, we deserved his judgment and condemnation, but instead He opened the door for reconciliation through Jesus and His blood shed for us. Praise God for His redemptive work on our behalf. He didn’t have to do it, but He did it out of His loving kindness and His goodness towards us.

It is time to allow God to shatter the old ideas and pictures of him and let Him redefine himself to us. The Lord intends to be involved in all the details of our lives. He’s not involved, so he can be a taskmaster. He is not here to bring a sense of danger or impending doom. He desires to give us security and comfort. He has given us the Holy Spirit, so we can have continual help in our lives. Praise God! 

Lord if we have any faulty views of you, please change us. Some of us think of you as a hard taskmaster, so we live our lives to please you through performance. Others of us think that unless we are suffering, we must not be very spiritual.  Your love and your goodness are far richer and deeper than our ideas of you. Lord, today we want to embrace all of you. Thank you for taking interest in our lives and being committed to us through the end of the age. Thank you for your goodness. We love you Lord.

For comments, please contact me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com

Life can be full of anxiety and fear if we didn’t believe in the goodness of God! When we realize that He is good, it keeps us calm and secure in the midst of an uncertain world.

The goodness of God is part of His nature. He is always good. Out of His goodness He created Man in His own image. Starting in Genesis, God was after a relationship with man. He didn’t have to create us in His image except that He desired a fellowship with His people. No other creation can commune with God like human beings can. Do we see God as good?

When God created the heavens and the earth, He called them good. He organized everything, so we can live, grow, and mature in good conditions. He set up the right atmosphere, so we can breathe the right kind of air. He put the sun at just the right distance from the earth. He set the thermostat at the right temperature, so we won’t freeze to death or burn from too much heat. He gave us the provision of fresh water and food at all times.  Then He created Adam & Eve. God in His goodness created and produced man and called him very good. He was pleased with his creation especially the humanity.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 11:29

Many have been raised in strict families where God is seen as an angry God who is running quality control on every moment of our lives. He looks like a drill Sargent who expects the best and tolerates the least amount of weakness or shortcoming. He is perceived as someone who pushes people towards performance and exhaustion. The scriptures such as the one above have a different story for us.  If we desire to know who God is, we must look at the entirety of the scripture and pray to get to know His heart.

We see God’s goodness in the way He has wired people. The same God who created us for relationship and fellowship put a desire in our hearts to have children. When people decide to have children, they don’t think about how enjoyable it would be to rule and tell somebody younger what to do. They don’t ponder how they will get to discipline their children or put them on time-out. That is far from any parent’s mind.

The thoughts of a new parent generally center around the beauty and the pleasure of a new relationship with their precious child. A new parent is pondering: What will the baby look like? What will their personality be like? How can I bond with my new baby? What will be God’s purpose for his/her future? How can I be a great parent for this child? If those are our thoughts towards our children, then how much greater and deeper are God’s thoughts towards us!

How we view God will set the tone for the level of peace and joy we experience on a regular basis. How do you view God? Ask the Lord to reveal your thoughts about Him.

Please send your comments to  karlinefischer@yahoo.com.

Have you exchanged the blessing of the Lord for a bowl of stew? In Genesis 25, the scripture tells us that Esau was so famished that he gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew.  He chose to value his appetite more than his birthright! Most of the time, exchanging a blessing for a bowl of stew is not an intentional event, but it is a gradual devaluation of our blessings for the exchange of something that gives us temporary relief! Esau’s appetite in some shape or form can be our appetite.

Below are some examples:

When we were a new baby believer, we were excited about our new faith. We so appreciated the freedom that Jesus gave us; we wouldn’t replace it with anything in this world. We were ready to tell the world about our newfound faith. We didn’t know anything about church or its structure, but we loved Jesus and that’s all that mattered to us.

Our new faith brought us to church, and we started getting involved. We wanted to greet people at the door, so we can just share the joy with others.  Over time, things started changing. Now this Welcoming ministry looks problematic. We used to be eager about greeting people and helping them feel welcome; now it’s not very motivating anymore. We used to know how a new person feels when they walk in the church for the first time. That thought doesn’t cross our minds anymore. As a matter of fact, we would rather just visit with our friends than look for a newcomer.

The Lord opened a door for a great job five years ago. What a blessing it was! However, the job is not that great anymore. The Co-workers are irritating. The boss is demanding, and we don’t really feel appreciated. There is no upward mobility in this job. Now we’re not sure if this job is a blessing or a demonic stronghold!

We had been praying for a spouse for years, and the Lord gave us a wise and caring one. After being married for ten years, things have changed. The husband we thought was so caring doesn’t listen to us anymore! He is becoming difficult to live with. The only time we can get our way is when we remind him of what Pastor preached on Sunday. Then he reluctantly goes along with it. Since he is not a very happy man these days, we would rather be spending our time with our girlfriends, so we can feel understood. As a matter of fact, his issues are the subject of many of our conversations.

Gradually all the privileges that we were blessed with a few years ago, have diminished in value. The bowls of stew are enticing and interesting. We are famished to be valued and understood.  We think: “My marriage would be a lot better if my husband could be a Godly man like my Pastor! As for my boss, my girlfriend totally understands me when I vent about him. She thinks I should quit right away and look for something else. As for my ministry,  I’m too mature for Welcoming ministry, and I don’t think this ministry is that effective anyway. If people have questions, they can go to the information table. We don’t need greeters. After all, I’ve given many suggestions to the ministry leaders and no one seems to listen. I don’t think they appreciate me over there. Maybe I should find another place to serve!!”

Lord, forgive us for the times we have despised your blessings, and we haven’t valued what you’ve given us. Help us to desire what we already have.  We don’t want to take them for granted.

Thank you for what you brought into our lives years ago. Thank you for the privileges you have granted to us. Amen.

For comments, please email me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com. 

Isaac had been praying for years for Rebecca his wife to bear a child. Finally, Isaac became a father after 20 years of waiting. The Lord granted Rebecca with twin boys, and He spoke to Rebecca concerning them prior to their birth. The Lord said to her,

Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. Genesis 25:23

God was going to fulfill His promises in their lives. However, the call of God did not take away their responsibility to obey Him and follow his ways. They each had to choose if they were going to serve the Lord or be led by their own appetite and desires.

Esau was a hunter and his father enjoyed his cooking. We can surmise that Esau must have enjoyed food very much. One day when Esau came home from the field tired and hungry, he found Jacob cooking a nice pot of lentil stew.

But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” Genesis 25:31 

Esau asked his brother for some Stew. Instead of Jacob just offering him some, he asked for his birthright before giving him any food.

Would you do that to your sibling? Would you ask for their car or some money before you gave them some of your food? Jacob was taking advantage of the fact that Esau was weary and famished. However, he also knew his brother well. Maybe he had seen him give up other things for food.

Birthrights were very important in the ancient Middle East. A firstborn son generally received a double portion of his father’s inheritance. He was also the leader of the household in the absence of his father. Unfortunately, Esau agreed to give up his birthright for a bowl of stew!!

While God had chosen Esau to serve Jacob, He still had picked Esau to be the firstborn. Sadly, his appetite was more important to Esau than receiving the privileges of being a firstborn!

Similar to Esau, we have natural appetites and desires. Unless these appetites are restrained, they will take us places we never intended. They will make us give up things or people who were so valuable to us at one time, but now the “bowl of stew”  has clouded the significance of what we should have treasured.

The scripture tells us that “Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:34b)”. Why would anyone despise being firstborn?  Jacob’s statement was interesting:“Sell me your birthright from this day forward”. While Esau despised his position as the firstborn, Jacob must have been watching and wanting that position for a while. He had seen the privileges that Esau was enjoying while Esau didn’t value them.

I saw my brother having the privilege of a firstborn son. As the second child and being a girl, it was clear that he was privileged. However, I don’t think he always saw the value of being the firstborn as clearly as I did. At times, He may not have even enjoyed being the firstborn son because of the expectation associated with it.

As sons and daughters of God we have been given great birthrights. Do we sometimes despise our birthrights? Is there  a “bowl of stew” that may tempt us out of our birthrights?

I will share some examples in the next devotional.

Patience leads to fruitfulness

But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

Just as a farmer  has to go through different seasons before he receives the fruit of his labor, patience is also required for our process with God. Fruitfulness can take a long time, so we can’t be quick to judge ourselves. As long as we have a receptive heart towards God and are obedient, we will bear fruit.

Patience with God’s process is a necessity. This applies also when we look at other people’s fruitfulness. Just because we don’t see fruit in someone’s life, it doesn’t mean they are doing something wrong. If Joseph’s life were evaluated during those early years before he arrived at the palace, it would have been easy to draw a wrong conclusion and wonder,” What is the man doing that keeps getting him into trouble!?”.

Many of us are in need of seeing progress and improvement in our finances, our marriages, and our relationships. Every area requires patience. We can’t give up. We have to keep working on it steadily until we see fruitfulness in all areas of our lives.

Patience develops character

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

The word “perseverance” is the word “patience” in King James Version. Tribulation is designed to produce patience. As carnal human beings we are not patient people. We have our own ideas on how things should turn out, and we want them now!

The Lord gives us opportunities in life to develop patience. We cannot be people of character and not have patience! Through patience we become calmer, and more consistent. We are not emotional wrecks. Our relationships are not subject to how we feel day by day. People see a person with character continues to do a great job at work even when they didn’t get the promotion. They know that this person is kind even under pressure. This person will tell the truth even if it costs them their job.

People with character are hard to find because those with character have said “yes” to God over a long period of time and have allowed God to have His way in them. Character cannot be rushed, and it cannot have a time-table. God designs custom-made circumstances to develop patience in us. Having patience  in tough situations or around difficult people produces character. Character expands our capacity to hope in God and continue to receive to His love even under tough circumstances. These kinds of individuals are dangerous to the enemy because they stay unshakable in spite of unfavorable circumstances.

Patience brings wholeness

By your patience possess your souls. Luke 21:19

Possess (G2932) : to acquire, get, or procure a thing for one’s self, to possess, to marry a wife.

The above scripture is a powerful verse about patience. Before we knew Christ we were under the bondage of sin and corruption. We made little progress to get rid of bad habits even when we tried. Through patience, we learn to die to self and not allow the old man to have his reign in us any longer. The more we do this, the more we are reining the soul into its proper place. Our mind, emotions, and will are not running our lives any longer, but the Spirit takes its rightful rulership.

We did not own or posses our souls prior to knowing Christ. Our souls possessed us. As we grow in the Lord, our soul comes under our authority rather than running the show. One of the meanings of the word “posses” is to marry a wife. As a wife is subject to her husband, so does our soul becomes subject to our spirit man rather than rule over the spirit man. This is great progress for every one of us for we are not subject to how we feel or think at any given moment any longer; we remain stable and steady.

Lord, we thank you for the gift of patience that allows us to look more like you. Remind us of the benefits of patience when we are in a tough place and help us not to resist it but embrace it.

For comments, please email me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com.

Patience is a key ingredient to our maturity with God. It’s what allows us to see the fruition of God’s process in our lives. Without it we can be like the Israelites in the desert who kept whining and complaining. They went around the mountain for forty years and didn’t get to see the Promised Land. They got frustrated with Moses and the circumstances, which led to more waiting and impatience!!

Patience puts to death the flesh. Naturally, the flesh is driven to strive and push its own agenda. A Patient person lives a surrendered life. That’s a life of peace and contentment, and it is the kind of life that the Lord desires for us live. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, and God develops it in us as we partner with Him. 

There are many benefits to patience. I will share a few with you in the next couple of devotionals.

Through patience full truth is revealed

The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8 

When we are faced with a new challenge, the tendency is to draw quick conclusion based on limited facts. The first thing we should do is to ask the Lord, “What are you showing me through this? What will this teach me about you?” This takes the focus away from the person or the circumstance, and it helps us look to Christ!

When we are patient and willing to receive more input, over time things will become clearer. If we adamantly insist on our viewpoint, then we move into pride, and it can derail us from seeing things clearly.  People have partial truth, but the full truth belongs to God who knows all things and see all things. If we patiently wait and not try to win the argument, in time God can reveal full truth to everyone involved.  That will settle the matter much better than if we tried to force it early on. We also have the opportunity to get new revelation of who God is and His marvelous work in our lives.

If we were Haman, Job, or Joseph’s friend, what would our reaction be based on what was going on initially in their lives? Would we flatter individuals like Haman because they seemed successful for a period of time? Would we be judgmental of people like Job and Joseph because their lives seemed like a failure for a season? Patience allows time to clear things up and reveal truth; it settles the dust and takes away the confusion.

Patience can eliminate evil actions

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for you and for all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 

Patience allows us to turn the other cheek and not get drawn into carnality because of someone else’s evil behavior. Some people will be unruly, others discouraged, and some weak. Every one of them needs encouragement and exhortation to help them move forward in God’s purpose.  Sometimes we are the ones who are unruly, discouraged, or weak. Every person and situation has a potential for good if we are directed by the Lord and not get impatient or frustrated with each other.  When we are patient, it helps us not to react to other people’s bad behavior. We desire to pursue what is good and beneficial for everyone involved including those who mistreat us. This reveals Christ-likeness in us and glorifies the Father.

Thank you Lord for the fruit of patience. We need it desperately it in our lives!

For comments, please email me at karlinefischer@yahoo.com.