Patience: Word SignI used to think that all leaders were “type A” personalities. Constantly on the go. Busy. Making quick decisions. That may be true in many cases, but it doesn’t paint the complete picture.

Executive consultant and mentor Fred Smith was slowed dramatically in his later years by illnesses. He wrote about what God was teaching him through that time he was slowed as he was forced to be more dependent on others.

“Until I spent several months on my back, unable to move, I didn’t really appreciate patience. Perhaps I could have given you “three points of managing a patient attitude,” but I didn’t experientially understand. Now I know that true patience reduces unhealthy distress without diminishing healthy stress. Patience brings poise to our life, enabling us to discern between the important and the less important. It gives us tolerance for the point of view of others.”

Wow. Wise words. If you are like me, you want patience…right now. But I don’t want to go through the trials that help bring patience into my life.

[blockquote author=”James 1:2-4 NLT” link=”” target=”_blank”]“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”[/blockquote]

May our Lord grant us His patience as we give leadership in our ministries and in our homes.