It’s day 9 of our 21 day corporate fast, and boy oh boy, has it been an incredible, refreshing time filled with Golden Nuggets & Life Changing Truths for us (The Reed family) and our spiritual family as well (I’m sure) at COTR! For me; A true spiritual fast involves our hearts and the way in which we relate to and trust God. It relates to discerning and receiving strength to follow through on what God might reveal to us about circumstances in our lives or a direction we are to take. Fasting is an incredible tool, that goes hand and hand with Prayer! This is one of my favorite times of the year, because it is a time set aside to allow God to correct, adjust, and set our course for the new year. I am excited about the future, and can’t wait to see what God reveals in the next few weeks. #GoodMorningHolySpirit
The Lord prompted me to share an encouraging word on “The Fruit of The Spirit” for the next 9 weeks! #TuesdayBlogRelease This week, we will be focusing on The Fruit of Patience, and how it relates to our Faith, Family & our Businesses! My prayer is that this study will not only bless you, but encourage and inspire you on your day to day Journey with the Lord (just as much as it has mine):
Patience is defined as; the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. It’s a calm endurance based on the certain knowledge that God is in control. Joyce Meyer says it this way; Patience is not simply the ability to wait, but its how we behave while we’re waiting.” Who doesn’t need a healthy dose of patience. Right? I Know I do (smile)…
Patience is a valuable character trait (one of the 9 Fruit of the Spirit…. Galatians 5:22-23). Here are a few of its benefits;
- Reduces stress levels and makes you a happier, healthier person.When you learn and practice patience you don’t get as angry, stressed or overwhelmed. You are more in control of your emotions and in a better position to deal with difficult situations with ease and poise.This promotes longevity and makes you a happier, healthier person.
- Results in better decision-making. When you’re patient you take the time to assess the situation, see the big picture, and weigh any pros and cons. The chances of making a big mistake lessen because you avoid making it in haste. Taking the time to problem solve requires patience and deliberation.
- Helps develop understanding, empathy and compassion. You are automatically more understanding and compassionate with others when you yourself are patient. Patient people take the time to process what they go through and are able to determine what it takes to overcome obstacles so they are more understanding of others. This results in better, more fulfilling relationships with spouses, friends, children and bosses.
- Helps you understand and appreciate the process of growth. Anything worthwhile takes time and effort to achieve. As the old saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Planning, growth, evaluation and measurement all take time, and taking time takes patience.
In The Area of Business:
- Patience is not easy to come by and when it matters most you want to be the business leader who is making smart decisions based upon sound principles rather than knee-jerk reactions. Patience is one virtue that will serve you well. I just wish it didn’t take so long to learn.
- A well-rounded business leader is set apart from the rest of the pack by mastering skill sets that lead to success. At times, many of us are driven more by impatience; with ourselves and others, than by the virtue of patience. Our impatience can be our demise. Thomas Edison said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Building your reputation as a business leader in these challenging times requires patience. Managing your reputation as a business leader begins by mastering the skill of patience and not giving up.
A Word of Encouragement for Business Owners as it relates to Patience: “Anyone can launch a new company, but it takes patience, hard work, and commitment to make any new project a success.” Warren Philip Gates, Success and the Powerful Introvert
