January 3
Patience,
the Path to Peace
“Anyone who is patient has great understanding. But anyone who gets angry quickly shows how foolish they are.”
Proverbs 14:29 (NIrV)
Jordan prided himself on being efficient and driven. At work, he was known as the guy who got things done, no matter the obstacles. But recently, his quick temper had become a problem.
The stress of deadlines, coupled with a team member’s repeated mistakes, had boiled over in a tense meeting where Jordan snapped in frustration. Though he apologized later, the atmosphere in the office had noticeably shifted. People avoided him, and his usual camaraderie with his team had all but disappeared.
That evening, Jordan replayed the scene in his mind. His sharp words echoed back, and shame followed closely behind. “I didn’t mean to blow up like that,” he muttered, sinking into his couch. He knew he had hurt others and damaged trust, but he wasn’t sure how to fix it.
The next morning, he opened his Bible, searching for guidance. His eyes fell on Proverbs 14:29. “Anyone who is patient has great understanding,” he read aloud. Jordan closed his eyes and reflected. He realized that his impatience was not just about others—it stemmed from his own desire to control everything perfectly.
Jordan decided to approach the situation differently. At work that day, he called a team meeting. “I owe all of you an apology,” he began, his voice steady but humble. “I let my frustration get the better of me, and that wasn’t right. I want us to work together, and I want to be better at listening and understanding.”
To his relief, his team responded warmly. One colleague shared how Jordan’s outburst had made them feel, and Jordan listened without defensiveness. Over the next weeks, he made a conscious effort to pause before reacting, asking questions instead of assigning blame. Slowly, trust was rebuilt, and Jordan felt a renewed sense of peace at work.
He learned that patience wasn’t just about avoiding anger—it was about showing others the grace that God had shown him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the reminder that patience is a reflection of Your love.
Help me to pause and listen, even in moments of frustration.
Teach me to be slow to anger and quick to understand, offering grace and kindness to those around me.
Thank You for Your patience with me and for showing me how to extend it to others.
May I walk in peace and humility, trusting in Your wisdom for every situation.
Amen.
