Week 315
Positive post Sunday, March 12, 2023- Week 315.
We’ve all heard the saying, “patience is a virtue”. According to Loyola Press, patience gives us the perspective that enables us to love the sinner but hate the sin. It enables us to overcome feeling sorry for ourselves and to avoid resentment and the desire to retaliate. I’m hopeful this honest and self-reflective post is helpful for those like me who struggle with patience.
As I’m sure my family will attest, I am not the most patient person God has placed on this earth (Note to family: This is a POSITIVE post so please be kind with your comments😊). I don’t handle standing in long lines or waiting in general very well. I’m very driven and don’t like to waste time.
In order to get from “patience is a challenge” to “patience is a virtue”, in lieu of giving something up for Lent, I decided to work on being more patient. As I began my Lenten journey, I was quickly put to the test with my first opportunity to demonstrate patience. It was a complete failure. Let’s just say that I owe the very nice people at our local sushi restaurant an apology for my response to being informed that our order would take an additional ½ hour. I’m very fortunate and grateful God gave me a wife who has an abundance of patience and who once again talked me off the ledge. I learn from her every day.
I’ve read a great deal about strategies on how to improve, or in my case, develop patience. Based on my research, I compiled my top 10 tips. I’m committed to add these to my toolbox as I continue my Lenten journey and quest for patience. These may also be useful for my friends and colleagues who also suffer from a deficiency in patience.
Dan’s Top 10 Tips to Improve Patience
- Be aware of your triggers and respond with composure
- See time waiting as a blessing and opportunity to pray
- Respond how Jesus would respond
- Seek understanding rather than judging other’s actions
- Practice mindfulness
- Accept what you cannot control
- Don’t sweat the small stuff
- Replace impatience with kindness
- Pause before responding
- Channel IMpatience to motivate and initiate action
How do you love the sinner even though you hate the sin?
What do you do to improve your patience?