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God Is Patient

Hope Ministries - Columnist
Posted 11/1/19

Many people have a distorted view of God. They may see Him as strict and demanding, expecting them to be perfect, and ready to quickly send judgment and discipline if they mess up. Others may see Him …

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God Is Patient

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Many people have a distorted view of God. They may see Him as strict and demanding, expecting them to be perfect, and ready to quickly send judgment and discipline if they mess up. Others may see Him as a dictator, fearing what will happen if they step out of line.

But that is not who God is at all. He's a loving Father, “full of tenderness and mercy” (James 5:11 NLT). Psalm 145:9 says, “The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation” (NLT). He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV).

For those who see God as harsh, Romans 9:22 tells us, “Even though God has the right to show His anger and His power, He is very patient” (NLT). We are His children, and this loving Father is patient with us and only looks at us through eyes of love.

When a toddler is learning to walk, he falls down often. His loving father will pick him up time after time, hug him close, comfort him, and then encourage him to try again. This scenario is repeated over and over, for as long as it takes for the baby to learn to walk on his own.

His father doesn't scold him, yell at him, or discipline him because he didn't walk across the room on his first try. A loving father will applaud every little step, and take the baby's hands in his own to help him take another step until he can confidently walk on his own.

That is the kind of patience our Heavenly Father has for us. He is patient with us, and doesn't expect perfection as we learn to grow and walk with Him. He knows we will stumble and fall many times in this process, and He will always be right beside us to pick us up, comfort us and encourage us to take His hand and try again.

As God showers us with His patient love for us, we begin to see Him as He is, “a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15 NLT). When we do fail, we can cry out to God with King David, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins” (Psalm 51:1 NLT).

Why is God so patient with us? Romans 2:4 tells us, “Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you?... Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (NLT). “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

Just as God is so patient with each of us, we must also learn to be patient with ourselves and extend this same patience to others. We are in this life together, growing and learning step by step, being led by God's love, mercy and patience. Let's love one another, as He has loved us.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 482-5300.

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