Saturday, March 21, 2015

Dear longsuffering sisters,


You always hear people insinuate women are the creatures that God created with an abundance of patience. As though we have been biologically wired with this super human ability to wait, wait and wait some more. To endure all that is thrown at us, regardless how we feel. This is so not a natural ability I was born and wired with.  Not even an ounce of it.  I know listed in Galatians 5:22-23 it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there no law." 

When I read this I was like, "Yeah, patience isn't listed! So, boom!" Yes, I admit I do live in my own little world where I have these conversations with myself. (Shhh! don't tell). I had once read to always read/study your bible with a dictionary, just in case, and I do!!! It is a good thing. I always find a deeper meaning to words I know or thought I knew. If you look up the definition of longsuffering it says:  

long-suf·fer·ing

adjective

adjective: long-suffering; adjective: longsuffering

  1. Having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

"His long-suffering wife" (love this! Yes, it was their example. Not mine)

synonyms:

 

After reading this I thought good God almighty, love a duck! Are you serious? To suffer a long time with troubles even caused by others. So, not designed for this. You have got to be kidding me. This is NOT ME, AT ALL!

 You would think as a mother of five blessings. I'd have the patience of a rock. Um, nope! Not even close. I openly and shamefully admit it's my weakness. Well, that and coffee.  I am sure, I am not the only one.

Well, one afternoon at work, okay I am a Clinic Coordinator for a Family Practice Clinic. Where everyone is sick. All feel bad. All think their problem is my only problem form 7:45-4:30. All are demanding and all want to feel better now. No! I don't blame them.

However, some days...... LONGSUFFERING for sure. Then with five kids. Dogs, cats, and fish. Oh, heavenly father!! Oh, how I do need you!!

I do, I do, and I do love my job. It is AWESOME!!!

So, don't get me wrong. Okay, Monday mornings not so much!  I am so THANKFUL for it. But, every other day.... AMAZING! My boss, a sweetheart and well my co-workers they rock! Anyway, this one afternoon at work (which I'm sure was a Monday) It was insanely crazy. I am talking full moon stormy weather, forgot their medications kind of crazy (medical field well they KNOW).  I seriously wanted to run to bathroom. Fake a sickness and abandon ship. Just for the day. But..... I didn't! I pulled up my Jesus girl bloomers and stayed professional did what I was paid to do. Yes, I was in constant prayer for help. Help to deal. Help to lighten that day’s load. Just HELP! Pray without ceasing, YEP, that was me!!! Then out of the blue. One of my "trouble" patients called. This person I will call Jack Doe (of course this is not really his name). Jack had PROBLEMS! Ones which made everything in my life seem like a slice of Apple pie alamode. Not just any apple pie alamode. The warm apple pie alamode with caramel drizzle, a dollop of whip cream with cherries on top. I have always fought to show an ounce of  patience with this man. To the point in my mind asking for forgiveness. Forgiveness for the thoughts I had towards this him. Well, I answered the phone that particular afternoon, and he said and I quote (he was crying) "Ms. Hollie, I don't need anything. I just wanted to thank you for always being kind to me. You are always have so much patience with me. You always treat me like I'm human, you have no idea how much that means to me." BAM......Jesus, spiritually slap yo' face at work moment. There was that word P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E!  

Believe me, I DO NOT possess the virtue patience. I do not think I could have it or keep it, even if I carried in bottle in my back pocket. See, I always thought patience was a big never have a bad thought. Never have a bad moment. Never show any emotion endure it all thing. Guess what!!!! That is the lie the enemy tells us. So, we are overwhelmed with the guilt of not having patience. Then we lose focus because were failing at such a small thing God has called us to do. Satan has slimy little devious tactics to make us lose focus.... Keep in mind Satan is the father of all lies. I can prove it…..

 In John 8:44 it tells us

 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5, "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds ;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

 When you begin to believe the lies and deceit Satan throws your way. Is when you’re in trouble? I know I’ve been there; more than once! Yep, me this Jesus girl right here.   I can speak from experience. That small lie. I have no patience, put me in a place spiritually I didn’t need nor want to be in. I lost focus. I let my guard down. I allowed the enemy to swoop in and let me think I wasn’t good enough for the rest of what God has for me. If I was unable to show patience how was God going to use me in the bigger picture? That one lie led to a whole basket of negative thinking. All this feeling of worthlessness. I took a social media hiatus. This is big, I am a social media junkie. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat.... Guilty right here. I can't help it LOVE them all. I checked out in areas of my life at church. And, I have an absolutely AWESOME church. In ministries God called me to. Such as Life Group Leader, Connect Kids, and Switch Leader. This one little simple lie affected me in such a way spiritually I could no longer work for God. I could no longer focus on his promises. Sounds overboard right? No, not really that is just another lie that trickled down from the first lie I let Satan tell me. See when we embrace that very first lie. Satan assumes he has the authority to continue to lie to us. I promise you whenever he gets that chance he will take it 100% of the time.

So, the lesson I learned that day in one simple phone call. That I truly believe was God ordained. Broke something in me spiritually that shattered Satan’s little glass box of lies he had me in.

So for all my readers, friends and followers who believe the lies of the enemy that lead you to spiritual blocks. Take heart, don’t give up, and don’t feel guilty. We have all been there.  That one little lie whether it is a lie about patience (longsuffering), your weight, your abilities, your parenting, your ministry or your health. It can affect all aspects of your spiritual life. Hinder you and disable you. Listen to the voice of truth. Sometimes it’s a still small voice. Other times is a loud earthquake. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes daily. Do not let the guilt take you away from what God has in store for you. Simply ask for forgiveness. Start over and know God isn't looking for perfection. He is drawn to imperfection and brokenness. He is looking for willingness. He is looking for worshippers. He is looking for the unqualified. Guilt is the lie of the enemy.

 

Bottom line:

Do this:

Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

He Will:

Psalms 103:2-4, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;"

Then do this:

Philippines 3:13, "...this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

2 Corinthians 8:12, whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have.

And HE WILL DO THIS:

Ephesians 2:10, for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The sit with a willing heart. And, watch what God can do through your willingness. BOOM, it’ll happen. In his perfect timing.

Remember life is good. God is great and coffee is your friend.

 

Hollie Kate.