Day 11
The Power of Patience
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15
In this life, we are all message-bearers. And in our messaging, we all want to be powerful. The essence of power is authority, and in authority, one can speak and it be done. The Bible says that the power of life and death is in the tongue, but is true power bossing people around? Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). We all want to be powerful, but what form of power are you boasting? In your life would it be coercive tyranny or patient meekness?
Proverbs 25:15 suggests persuasive power (our ability to get someone to do what is right) will be directly tied to our patience and our gentleness. It says the gentle, not the forceful, tongue breaks the bone. This is likely because the gentle tongue altogether bypasses the bone and goes directly to the heart, as it kindly speaks words of truth in love. At the heart level is where God does his best and most powerful and extensive work. So what is this about bones breaking, and why is a broken bone a good thing? Well, the text here is not talking about actually breaking someone’s bones, but how to accomplish something hard through influence over force. The most influential people (when free will is allowed) are those who are gentle, meek and, most of all, patient. Here’s something we will never hear at a funeral: “Yep, he was an angry man with a hot-headed temper—everyone loved him.” It’s funny to think about hearing that, but it wouldn’t be fun to live with that guy.
Recently, a coworker came to me with some questions. He thought I was supposed to be working on something other than what I currently was, even though I had been asked to go exactly where I was. I could have responded aggressively, but even if I had won the argument, my words would have lost power with my coworker. Instead, I calmly questioned him to gain understanding about his perspective. Then my coworker was able to hear from me in a calm and collected way, serving as a point of trust in my relationship with this person.
The opposite of patience is often anger, and many people quote a snippet of Ephesians 4:26 and say, “Be angry and do not sin” to justify, or even, prescribe anger. But what do we do when confronted with James 1:19-20: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God?”
Many times we feel justified to feel and even respond the way we do, but if we see it through the lens of patience and try to live a powerful Spirit-filled life, we may choose patience over anger for the sake of righteousness. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled…with patience. Be filled with patience and let people see Jesus in you.
FURTHER REFLECTION:
What kind of power do your words carry? Is there coercive anger in your words, or are you becoming more like your patient Savior who is gentle and lowly in heart?
How can you be more patient with your spouse, kids, other family, coworkers, and friends?
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, please make me more patient. I know that my testimony with others hinges on my patience, so Holy Spirit please fill me with Your patience. I love You, Father. Amen
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 4:26, James 1:19-20
by Sam Kirkland