WORKING WITH GENTLENESS AND PATIENCE

By Thomas E. Durst

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. —Ephesians 3:20 The Message

God works with us in gentleness and infinite patience for we all fall far short of what we could be, should be, or would be. We need to relate in the same way to others as they seek to find their way in life.  People are where they are and often we are tempted to use some kind of persuasion or human force to make them be where we may think they should be.  Our efforts may be ever so well intentioned to help others find higher ground but we need to be careful or we might be interfering with a learning process that they may need to experience.  We can only go by outward appearances but we can never know for sure just what someone else is going through or what direction they may need to go at any given time.  Human relationships are more complex than we generally realize because each of us is unique and not like anyone else in the whole world that has ever existed--quite a sobering thought!  I see a great need in my own life to spend time listening to God so that I can be in tune with His Spirit and have the wisdom to relate to everyone I meet in the most helpful way possible.  

These words from the prophet Isaiah are so important to always remember:

The Sovereign Lord has taught me what to say,
    so that I can strengthen the weary.
Every morning he makes me eager
    to hear what he is going to teach me.—Isaiah 50:4 Good News Translation (GNT) 

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