Would you describe yourself as a person at peace? Peace is hard to come by in our world. As I sit here writing this, I'm struggling with a season of confusion and distractions that make for an unsettled heart. I am tempted to look to information to provide my sense of security. However, God should be my source. Not that information won't help or be a tool He can use, but I should be able to draw peace from Him first before I avail myself of other resources.

Patience is not one of my best virtues, either. It's interesting how peace and patience can connect. When we are impatient for answers, impatient with others, or annoyed when something or someone gets in our way, our peace is disturbed.

So how can we learn to be more patient and thus, more at peace? First of all, we have to give up on the idea of "trying harder." So many of us willpower our Christian growth, but that is not the model of how it happens. Look all around you. Do flowers grow by trying harder? Do infants gain weight and strength by trying? Do you stick with something simply by trying harder? Typically, no. Growth and success happens when our hearts are sold out to the idea, and we've got an environment (either internally or externally or both) that makes way for the growth.

For example, we water plants. We feed infants. We gather supplies and people we need to accomplish a task. The growth begins to come naturally out of that provision.

That's how it is with our Christian life. Rather than try harder to be at peace, or will yourself to have more patience, you'd be better off concentrating on your relationships with God daily. Talking to Him. Listening. Reading His word. Spending time in a community of godly people. Serving others. All this will strengthen you and the fruit of the Spirit will grow.

For another example, let's say you start working out for the sake of your health. You faithfully exercise 3-4 times a week and watch your food intake to keep it healthy. You go to bed at a reasonable time, drink plenty of water, and avoid unhealthy habits like smoking. Over time, you begin to feel stronger and often, better. Now let's say one day you come across a situation in your community where you have to quickly help someone. Perhaps an elderly neighbor falls. You dash down the street, squat down to help and are able to lift her without too much strain. You find you are not that breathless and your muscles aren't crying out in pain. Why? Because by daily discipline, you were conditioning yourself to respond properly when the challenges came.

It's the same way with patience and peace. With daily conditioning and strengthening of your relationship with God and others, truly loving as He would, you'll be stronger to avoid the temptations that come.

It's not a matter of trying harder. It's a matter of strengthening your relationship with God. That is what will help you weather the tough times. And knowing you can trust Him, will help you be at peace, and treat life with more patience, because you won't be striving to do it on your own. Print This