Patiently waiting and listening is hard to do _

Patience: It is about feeling safe. We want to be dwelling in the Lord and filled with His peace. When we seek to be patient, we push aside the idea of easy promises: Patiently listening and waiting on His guidance is key to a healthy faith and relationship with God.

The world offers false hope. Christians must be smart enough to recognize it. In that moment of recognition is when the peace that passes understanding will be present.

Patient people know to rise above the chaos or struggle. Understanding how to have patience is key to stress management and can help keep our relationships from tearing apart.

Stop and think about things when you become impatient. Are you late to work and traffic has you stopped? Is someone talking too much and your mind is wandering? Maybe you are hungry? Dehydrated? Look for the solutions to the problem, and if there is no immediate solution ... take a deep breath. Pray. Control your thoughts. You will get through it.

Something else that pushes patience farther away: You must remember you cannot control people. If someone is doing something embarrassing or discouraging, are you feeling like it reflects on you? Think from outside of the situation: Are people looking at you? Or is it on that other person?

Again, pray it out. Do some deep breathing. Practice mindfulness to force the impatience out of your mind.

Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Be thankful."