James 1:2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations, 3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience. 4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind. 7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. (MEV)
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Ya’ll know how I feel about praying for patience – there’s only one way to develop it, and that’s to use it. Just like a muscle; it isn’t going to get stronger unless it’s exercised.
And it’s certainly hard to be happy when you’re going through things – I’ve talked to several close friends lately who’ve been put through the ringer. It ain’t fun. It ain’t a good time. It’s TOUGH.
So yesterday, as I was riding to Bible study, I had to pull over to put my gloves on – and while I was stopped, I remembered these verses. I’d had a headache since last Thursday- not a really bad one, just enough to make me think about it, and enough to keep my attention slightly off center. There were several places I went over the weekend that I had to fight to make myself go- the youth rally Saturday night, church Sunday morning, Bible study last night. I knew I needed to be there but it was hard not to just sit at the house and fight this headache.
I”m standing there, beside the road, wind blowing in my face, trying to get my gloves on right while watching oncoming traffic, and I finally had enough. I reminded the “passenger” that’s been trying to ride me since last week that there was only ONE empty spot on that seat, and it didn’t belong to him. I rode off, and within just a little bit, my headache was gone. I guess I left it out by Dong Won, with the one who’s been causing it.
Ya’ll be careful who (and what) you give a ride to.
