So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16-17
“Your children teach you patience,” my mother declared when I told I did not have the patience to raise children. She was right, of course.
I remember the day that my two-year-old knocked over her sister’s block tower . . . again. My five-year-old stood up, clenched her fists, and screamed toward heaven until her face turned red. I covered my ears and said, “Whoa! We have got to find you a more acceptable way to express your frustrations.”
She looked at me with a confused look on her face, “But that’s what you do, Mommy.”
“Okay.” I said, “We have to find us both a more acceptable way to express our frustrations.”
My mother was only partially right. Seeing my behavior mirrored in my children awakened a desire in me to change, but I had not the power to be patient on my own. Praise God, He has given me His Holy Spirit!
The Spirit of God lives inside of me empowering me to live according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh. I am more patient today that I was 20 years ago. By God’s grace, I will have more patience in the future as I continue to press into the Holy Spirit during my times of frustration.
Our frustrations and struggles and disappointments are the very thing that God uses to compel us into His arms. They are what God uses to grow us from glory to glory. As His patience shines through us, instead of our own impatience, then we radiate His glory. As His love glows through us, instead of our own self-absorption, then God’s love touches lives – including our own.
Holy Spirit fall a fresh on me! Help me to be patient and loving in every frustration and struggle.