I Corinthians 13:4a - Love is patient
The word of month is patience. As we strive to be wives who love as God has commanded us to, we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 13:4a that love is patient.Being patient is not easy, but it is necessary and it is rewarding.Being impatient can cause us to move in our own way and on our own terms, removing God from the equation, which is recipe for a disaster.My hair is natural, and I am always looking for styles that both my husband and I like (some of the styles I like, he doesn’t).One of my friends, who is natural, always have beautiful, flowing curls. When I asked her for directions on how to get the style, she told me the specific products to buy, how to roll my hair, and the amount of time she recommended sitting under the dryer.Well, I bought the products, I rolled my hair, and I attempted to sit under the dryer. However, the “under the dryer” experience was so unpleasant; it was hot, I was bored, and I became restless, that I got out earlier than the instructed time. I figured that my hair was probably dry enough, and I rushed to the bathroom to remove my rollers.The first few curls were beautiful, but as I got to the back, my curls were still wet, and instead of going back under the dryer, I decided to let them air dry, which caused my hair to be frizzy, much different than my friends.My impatience caused me not to see the process all the way through, and I didn’t get a favorable result.I got relief from the heat of the dryer, but I didn’t get the outcome that I desired.
Much like my hair experience, being patient in our marriages, with our husbands, or with ourselves can be challenging.We try to forgo the specific instructions that God has given us, and we come up with an alternate plan (like, I did with letting my hair air dry), and then in the end we don’t get the desired results. If we can be patient as wives, and trust that God is all-wise and He has a plan for you and your husband, then it should be a little easier to endure the heat.If I would have endured the heat a little longer, I would have gotten beautiful curls, instead of a frizzy mess.
In James chapter 1, verses 1 – 4, the apostle Paul encourages us to count it all joy when we are tempted because the trying of our faith work patience, and patience will have a perfect work in us, that we may be perfect and wanting nothing.When we are patient, we will be complete, wanting nothing in our marriage or in our lives. (I paraphrased the text, so I recommend you read it in your Bible).
As I think back on my hair dryer experience, there are some things I could have done that would help me endure the heat; and these same things can be applied to us as wives, so we will not forsake our assignment looking for relief.We can:
Pray, while we wait There is so much going on in my life that I could’ve taken the time under the dryer to pray. Prayer helps us to take our focus off of the situation and put it on God. When we are praying, we are communing with God, so prayer bringing us into the presence of the Holy God. The Amplified Bible version of I Chronicles 16:27 says, “Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary.” There is strength and joy in the presence of God. So, prayer gives us strength to endure! Psalm 16:11, says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Not only does prayer put us in the presence of God, but prayer can change our situation. John 14:13-14, “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
Fellowship, while we wait When I was under the dryer, I wasn’t home alone, so I could have done an activity with someone, like playing a game of UNO with my daughter, and that would have helped distract me from the time I was in the heat. Likewise, fellowshipping with other sisters in Christ that will encourage you while you endure, or engaged you in activities that will take your mind off of what you’re going through is a way to endure. There is strength in numbers, so having a group of sisters who you can call on that will pray with you, speak life into your situation, and encourage you is definitely a way to help with being patient. Hebrews 10:24-25, says, And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Read, while we wait I love reading, and next time I have to sit under the dryer, I am going to make sure I have a good book. As such, as we are striving to be patient in our experiences, we must read and study the word of God. In reading God’s word, we will get instruction, strength, and comfort. Reading the word of God will also give us wisdom, which is very important as a wife, who desires to be pleasing to God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” And we know that wifehood is a good work! Reading and studying the word of God will also shape our hearts, helping us to see our husbands through the eyes of God. Once God allows us to do this, it’s easier to be patient, showing mercy and grace, while we wait on God to move in our situation.
Sing, while we wait – Lastly, while we are being patient, we can sing! Singing the songs of God brings joy to our heart, and I have found that it is hard to be upset or disgruntled with joy in our hearts! Nehemiah 8:10b says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” So, I encourage you to get you a praise song that you play every time you feel like escaping the heat and doing it your way! So, my sister, I encourage you that even though it may get difficult don’t forsake your assignment. Remember that in Christ we are victorious! Be patient!
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