Healing Family Relationships Through PatienceSample

Many times I have had to utter the words, "I am sorry, I lost my patience." It is a strange phrase. I had my patience, but somewhere along the way I lost it. I don't know where it went. If you find it, let me know! Patience is an essential ingredient in family healing. You have heard the phrase, "Time heals all wounds." It sounds nice, but it is not true. If a serious injury is untreated and ignored, time will only make it worse. We can say, however, "God can heal all wounds over time." In this devotional, we will turn our attention to the "over time" aspect of healing relationships. If we want to see healing in our families, we will likely need an extra portion of patience.

"God is love" (1 John 4:8b). This is a Scripture we teach to children from their earliest years. Because God is love, one of His essential attributes is patience. We see this in 1 Corinthians 3:13. One of the great ways God shows His love is by being patient with us. Can you imagine what our relationship with God would look like if He was not patient with us?

Do you have anyone in your family who just won't change? He won't grow up. She won't stop doing stupid stuff. He says he is going to stop, but they keep right on going. Her personality just drives you nuts. How many of us just get fed up, sick of it, and say, "I can't take it anymore!" Maybe wedon't say it out loud, but we say it in our hearts. We walk away from a conversation, or we hang up the phone, and in our hearts we say, "I am so done with you."

Did you know God never thinks that way about His children? He is the Father who never loses His patience with His kids. Even when God disciplines us, He does so with a spirit of patience. I would have given up on me a long time ago. How many times have I committed the same sin? How many times have I come to God and confessed? At some point, we might think God would get fed up with us. I know I would. But when it comes to His children, He never stops caring, loving, and pursuing. He is patient with us, because He loves us.

Reflection Question: Is there a family member that seems to do the same irritating thing repeatedly? How might God be asking you to show patience in that relationship?