More of God's Character

            When we provide care for people who are hurting, the best things we can offer are a listening ear and prayer. The temptation is to think it is our job – as care-givers – to fix problems, when all an individual may need is a listening ear.

Spouses do the same thing. Instead of listening to each other, we troubleshoot each other’s problems. A more effective approach is simply to listen – “… Be quick to listen, slow to speak …” This is difficult for some of us to do, but listening more and speaking less is an important discipline to cultivate in our lives. It forces us to listen for God’s voice and to trust that the Spirit is at work. It leads us to God’s solutions for problems, which are always better than our solutions.

Another important discipline to cultivate is patience. Anger is a natural human emotion and anger is sometimes an appropriate response (Mt. 21:12). But more often than not, patience is the better path, for it is the very nature of God to be patient and loving. As Psalm 134:8 tells us, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

           Which of these disciplines is God inviting you to cultivate in your life today? Are you a talker? Perhaps you could enter into a 24-hour silent retreat. Tell your family and friends that you are going word-free for a day so that you can hear what God is speaking in your life. They may giggle and cut a few jokes, but it could be a rich and rewarding experience. Or perhaps you could keep an anger journal. Every time something makes you angry, write it down. Instead of “unloading” your anger on another person, unload your emotions on paper. You can return to these emotions later in the day and pray through them.

            Silence. Patience. I know I can use more of them in my life. Perhaps I am not alone.

Today’s prayer:

            “Gracious God, you are merciful and patient, abounding in steadfast love. Make me more like you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”