A Dish Of Patience
Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders

2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Afternoon traffic on the interstate after work hours is maddening! You find yourself among all kind of drivers, those with no worries, just taking it easy, and those mad-house drivers. They don't care what's going on; their attitude is 'let me in front'! It doesn't matter that they are putting their lives at stake and everyone else around. These people may be some of the most patient people you could know - out from under the wheel. But, give them a car, and access to traffic and they go ballistic! After I left the interstate last night, I thought I had it made on the side roads home. Was I wrong! I was traveling along at the road speed, and happened to look into my rear-view mirror. There was a woman with problems headed right for me. She was weaving back and forth over the yellow line, all the while, turning around in the seat, and screaming at someone in the back seat right behind her. I assumed it was a child that wasn't minding. But, what this woman didn't realize was the fact she was putting three lives on the line - hers, the child's and mine! I was praying, 'Lord, let me get out of here before she speeds up and hits me while she's got her head turned, screaming!' Her face was one of anger, and she could explode any minute. Too often, the situation at hand overrides our ability to have patience. We are in a rush to get things 'worked out', not realizing it may not work out the way we expected. In the woman's instance, I hope she got home safely, although she was very angry and her driving was less than desirable. In our one minute of anger, we can ruin the rest of our lives. Road rage is one of times people lose their patience and, most times, their lives. An argument in which there appears a gun can cost a life or lives. I can go on and on of instances, but you get the picture. Patience simply is not an attribute of ours, when we lose control! It is said that 'hindsight is 20/20'. But, sometimes, a person doesn't have the luxury of looking back. Before you lose your patience, and perhaps your life, think! Ask God for that 'dish of patience' needed in times of trials - to get you through until you possess your right faculties!