My middle child was so excited to see that a new ice cream shop opened up in our neighborhood. As we passed by it she read the sign “soft opening” and she asked me what it meant. And so I told her that the owner put up that sign so that the customers will be a bit more patient if the crew cannot serving them as fast as they should be, or if they ran out of certain menu items even before they closed for the day. I told her that the sign is a bit of warning that they might make a mistake, and so they need extra understanding.
If only as humans we could treat every other person as if they put up that “soft opening” sign in their forehead, then this world would be less stressful. If everyone was ready to give extra grace towards others, then we would live in a more peaceful existence. If only we can be a bit more patient toward others when they commit mistakes, empathize with them, and not take things too personally whenever they offend us.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:13-15
At the same breath, as followers of Jesus, we too should be kind to ourselves whenever we feel like we are not living up to the Christian life we ought to live. This is especially true when we feel frustrated whenever we still commit mistakes, and fall into the temptation we have been praying and working hard to avoid. We should tell ourselves that God is patient with us and continues to empower us to be better persons in spite of our frailties.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
And as we pick ourselves up, and strive again to become the persons that our Heavenly Father wants us to be, we must take heart that we are not alone. We should remind ourselves that the Lord has promised to strengthen us, and that He understands and is always patient with us.
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23
We should also adopt a different perspective whenever we are being faced with trials, and whenever we feel like we can never live up to God’s expectations of us. In his letter to the early church, the Apostle James encourages us to see the positive side of the difficulties we face as it is God’s way of equipping us, and giving us contentment in our hearts.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
And as we continue to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, and aspire to grow in Christ-likeness, we will slowly see that we are evolving enough to bear the fruits of the spirit. We will notice that slowly but surely we are able to manifest: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. But it all begins when we give ourselves the grace because we are a work in progress, until such time we will be called by the Lord.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Galatians 5:16-26 and James 1:2-12 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you patient enough towards other people and yourself whenever your behavioral expectations are not met?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, give me the grace to see others and myself as a work in progress. Remove the frustration in my heart whenever I get too disappointed at myself and other fellow followers when we fail to act and be like you. Please help me focus on you so that I can be more gentle, patient, kind, faithful, and joyful regardless of the circumstances that I am facing. I love you my Lord, Amen.
