Introduction: Are you known as a patient person? What about all the hustle and bustle at CHRISTmas time? Between shopping, traveling, visiting, buying, and trying to please everyone, does it seem like your patience is wearing thin? Does the villain of impatience creep in? At the supposedly “Happiest Day of the Year”, is it becoming the most “Stressful Day of the Year”? Or even worse, is it becoming the most “Miserable Day of the Year”?

 

What can you do to make it better, less stressful, and more enjoyable? Here are some suggestions:

 

1. Stay connected to the Holy Spirit! (Eph. 5:18) – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

 

Being filled with the Holy Spirit means coming under His control. Are you connected?

 

2. Deal with anger and irritation! (Eph. 4:26, 30, 31) – “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

 

If we do not deal with anger, it will deal with us! How are you dealing with it?

 

3. Focus on what is most important! (Matt. 6:33) – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

 

Keeping our priorities is extremely important. How are you doing?

 

4. Keep your spiritual shield up constantly! (Eph. 6:10–18) – “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

 

The enemy’s fiery darts are being hurled constantly. Hold up your shield!

 

5. Take praise breaks! (Psa. 119:164) – “Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”

 

6. Rest in the Lord! (Matt. 11:28–30) – “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

 

Resting in Jesus is the key.

 

7. Purpose to be a blessing! (2 Cor. 1:3–5) – “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

 

Since God blesses and comforts His children, they are to do the same with their brothers and sisters.

 

8. Resist trying to be in control of everything! (Luke 10:38–42) – “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

 

Outwardly agitated but inwardly anxious spells trouble. Martha was in trouble. Remember: our attitude controls our altitude!

 

9. Watch out for the Peace Robbers! (Col. 3:15) – “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

 

When the referee blows his whistle, the game stops. Likewise, when the Holy Spirit blows His whistle, PEACE leaves.

 

10. Be quick to acknowledge when your flesh kicks in and your patience flutters away!
(Gal. 5:22–23) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

 

Keeping short accounts of wrongdoing assures full and unhindered flow of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

 

Conclusion: While admittedly this is a long checklist, if you follow these suggestions {biblical principles}, then you’re almost guaranteed to be able to practice patience with the help of the restraining Holy Spirit. Both your family and friends will see the difference that JESUS CHRIST is making in your life and hopefully trust in Him.

 

Love y’all,

Pastor Randy Reese