Then I began to wonder, what really is patience? Was I being patient? Or is patience having a calm and quiet spirit, and not letting things phase you? If that is the case, wow! Patience is much harder than I ever thought it was!
So I began to search the Scriptures for verses about patience. Here are some that I found.
(I found it interesting that the NIV used the word patient and the ESV used slow to anger so I wrote both of them out.)
Proverbs 14:29
"Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." (NIV)
"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." (ESV)
Am I quick or hasty tempered with my kids? If I'm honest, I have to say, yes, sometimes I am unfortunately.
Proverbs 16:32
"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." (NIV)
"Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." (ESV)
Am I being slow to anger and exercising self-control when my students disobey for the 3rd time in the last 5 minutes? Or do I all of a sudden lash out and react harshly out of anger?
Psalm 37:7
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." (NIV)
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" (ESV)
It may seem like the students are succeeding in their ways sometimes. However, I need to remember that yes, I am the teacher, and yes they should obey me, but my main concern should be that they obey God. If I am displaying Christlikeness in my attitude and the way I handle each situation that may arise in the day, and I am doing the task He has called me to the best of my ability to His glory, then I can leave the rest up to God and not worry or fret about it.
When my students aren't listening and obeying, and everything they do seems to "rub me the wrong way" and get on my nerves, not only am I reminded that that is the way I treat God so many times. I also need to remember that if I am patient I am displaying to my kids part of who God is. God is loving. God is patient. God is forgiving. He wants to see us succeed, so no matter how many times we fail Him, He is always there ready to pick me up and help me try again. I need to show this kind of patience to my kids. If my focus truly is on God, and Who He is, I don't think I will feel frustrated...but then, is God frustrated with me, or just sad and disappointed?
Sadly, I think as teachers, it is easy to have selfish motives when correcting students, instead of truly desiring to help them focus on God and Who He is.
These are just some of the thoughts that have been rolling around in my head this evening. I don't feel like I have learned this lesson or even really figured it out. But God is patient and loving and wants me to be patient too.
Here is a view (and maybe a video clip) of the calm, still, quiet ocean, and the sunset, God allowed me to enjoy after a rough day and a good run (2 different days, same place).
