Patience

We come into recovery because we are tired and worn out from the physical and emotional consequences of a lifestyle of addiction and the destruction it imposes.  We want the pain and discomfort to go away as quickly as possible.  In our addiction, we chose to ease our pain with whatever was readily available.  Now we are committed to taking the time and effort necessary to rebuild a new life.  One of the character qualities we need to develop is patience. 

Patience is both a gift from God and something that we learn to develop through practice.  Patience has been described as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  A patient person is flexible, even-tempered, and willing to walk a known path, trusting that good will come to them if they stay the course and complete the journey. 

To develop patience requires that we repeatedly choose to move out of our “comfort zone” because that’s the place of the “quick-fix”, where we “cut corners,” and do whatever we want regardless of the cost.  Even though these are familiar ways for us to operate, they are damaging to our life and our relationships.

Only God is patient enough to love us and walk with us through all the twists and turns of the journey we need to take to develop patience.  We are reassured that “God could and would if He were sought.” 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I have lived too long as a self-centered, impatient person.  Please forgive me.  I ask that You fill me with your Holy Spirit so I have both the desire and the strength to do whatever it takes to change my ways.  Please help me!  Amen

©2023 Partners in Hope