It’s Smart to Be Patient

In Proverbs 14:29 I read, “It’s smart to be patient.” (CEV)

My life has an ebb and flow. Sometimes God wants me to move quickly, but sometimes he wants me to slow down. As Proverbs 14:29 says, “It’s smart to be patient” (CEV).

First, I should always move slowly when I don’t have all the facts. Our culture worships impulsiveness and spontaneity. It tells me that spur-of-the-moment, “gut” decisions are the right ones.

I also hear repeatedly that I should “follow my heart.” But the Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

Feelings often lead me in the wrong direction. So I need to rely on the truth outside of myself.

The Bible is clear about that: “What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!” (Proverbs 18:13 TLB).

So when I don’t yet have all the facts, slow down. Don’t rely on my gut, heart, or feelings. Take the time to look for objective truth outside of myself.

Second, move slowly when I’m hurt, angry, or depressed. When I’m upset, I tend to react and retaliate rather than acting wisely.

James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (NIV).

Do you see the rhythm in that verse? It says quick, slow, slow. If I’m quick to listen and slow to speak, I’ll automatically be slow to become angry. But if I’m slow to listen and quick to speak, I’ll be quick to become angry.

Proverbs 15:18 tells me what to do instead: “Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments” (CEV).

Proverbs 15:28 says it this way: “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking” (NLT). In other words, godly people put their minds in gear before their mouths.

Sometimes I’m going to feel angry, hurt, or depressed. That’s just part of life. But the next time that happens, slow down. Proverbs 14:29 says, “Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes” (CEB).

Don’t make quick decisions that I’m going to regret.

And the same is true when I don’t have all the facts. Instead of just “following my heart,” take the time to slow down and make a careful decision.

Remember: It’s smart to be patient.

In summary, life has an ebb and flow. Sometimes God wants me to move quickly, but sometimes he wants me to slow down. No matter if its quick or slow, It’s smart to be patient. First, I should always move slowly when I don’t have all the facts. Our culture worships impulsiveness and spontaneity. It tells me that spur-of-the-moment, “gut” decisions are the right ones. I also hear repeatedly that I should “follow my heart.” But as God’s Word tells me, “The heart is deceitful above all things,” Feelings often lead me in the wrong direction. So I need to rely on the truth outside of myself. Also God’s Word says, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!”. So when I don’t yet have all the facts, slow down. Don’t rely on my gut, heart, or feelings. Take the time to look for objective truth outside of myself. Second, move slowly when I’m hurt, angry, or depressed. When I’m upset, I tend to react and retaliate rather than acting wisely. James reminds me to “be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. If I’m quick to listen and slow to speak, I’ll automatically be slow to become angry. In addition “losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments”. “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking”. “put your mind in gear before their your mouth. Sometimes I’m going to feel angry, hurt, or dep, ressed. That’s just part of life. The next time that happens, slow down. Proverbs 14:29 says, “Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes”. Don’t make quick decisions that I’m going to regret. The same is true when I don’t have all the facts. Instead of just “following my heart,” take the time to slow down and make a careful decision. Remember: It’s smart to be patient.

A quick temper can be like a fire out of control. It can burn me and everyone else in its path. Anger divides people. It pushes me into hasty decisions that only cause bitterness and guilt. Yet anger, in itself, is not wrong. Anger can be a legitimate reaction to injustice and sin. When I feel myself getting angry, look for the cause. Am I reacting to an evil situation that I'm going to set right? Or am I responding selfishly to a personal insult?  I pray that God will help me control my quick temper, channeling my feelings into effective action and conquering selfish anger through humility and repentance.