Here are two more things you need to do in order to develop patience: 1) Develop a sense of humour. The Bible says, ‘A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life’ (Proverbs 14:30 TLB). Scientific studies reveal that people who laugh, live longer. Humour is a stress dissolver. It’s an antidote to apprehension. It’s a tranquiliser without any troubling side effects. It’s a shock absorber for the potholes of life. Someone once asked President Abraham Lincoln how he handled the tensions of the Civil War. He said, ‘If it hadn’t been for laughter, I could not have made it.’ When you can laugh at it, you can live with it. And besides, if you learn to laugh at your problems, you will never run out of anything to laugh at! 2) Deepen your love. Paul writes, ‘Love is very patient’ (1 Corinthians 13:4 TLB). That means when you are impatient, you are being unloving. When you love someone, you’re concerned about that person’s wishes, distresses, needs, and point of view – not just your own. When you are filled with love, almost nothing can provoke you to anger or impatience. On the other hand, when you are filled with anger, almost anything can provoke you. Under pressure, whatever is inside you is going to come out. So, deepen your love. ‘Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love’ (Ephesians 4:2 TLB). And one more thought: when you learn to love the people who irritate you, you take a weapon out of Satan’s hands that he can use against you. Today pray, ‘Lord, make me a more patient person.’
