UNPACK This...Being Patient With Ourselves and Each OtherSample

Patience Is Needed After Week One

It is always interesting to see how NFL fans react after the first game of the regular season, especially if their favorite team loses.

With the anticipation building all offseason, it’s easy for many fans to overreact to one bad performance. Fan bases can start to clamor for specific players, coaches, or executives to lose their jobs, even though the campaign still has a lot of time left.

There are certainly moments in sports when we’ve seen enough, and someone receives plenty of time and opportunity, and it’s right to move on. However, this requires discernment and understanding, and even then, patience, realistic expectations, and compassion remain essential.

In our lives, we understand how challenging it is to be patient with others and ourselves, as we often crave immediate results. We can have unrealistic expectations and put undue pressure on ourselves and others regarding spiritual maturity, character growth, and biblical learning.

However, we must show patience, grace, and compassion without getting angry while seeking a proper understanding of the situation.

Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) says, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”

Paul implores us in Ephesians 4:1-2 (NLT), “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Too often, we become angry and frustrated when we don’t achieve the desired results as quickly as we would like. Instead of giving up, we must look for progress, celebrate each small victory, and recognize that spiritual formation and transformation are a process that takes time.

So today, as we try to be patient with our favorite NFL team after just one week, let’s, more importantly, choose to be patient with ourselves and others. Let’s eagerly seek God, pray for transformation, and trust Him to grow in us and others in His timing.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess to impatience with others and myself. I want instant results and immediate change. Please help me live a life of love, understanding, and compassion as I exercise patience and experience grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.