James 1:4 “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”.
Patience is the pathway to perfection. Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (vs 9). Most of the time we are on the reverse. Our attention span for listening is very short, we are quick to give our opinion and very quick to form opinions or be offended. Patience forms a precious pearl in us as we persevere to listen more and talk less and discipline our reactionary anger.
Pearls are formed when an oyster/mussel secretes layers of nacre/(coating) on the irritant, hard particle or parasites that enters the oyster shell. The coating is the natural defence mechanism of the oyster/mussel against the irritant or the parasite. Patience is the secret layer of nacre against irritants that aggravates, frustrates or infuriates us. Over a long period of time, these layers of patience that are consistently coated over the irritants will form the pearl of patience in us.
To overcome the irritants of ‘interfering people’, slanders, disappointments or betrayals that enter our soul as parasites and steal our peace and joy, we must coat the irritants with a secret layer of patience. Pray for peace over the offensive colleague and the pejorative comments and coat them with patience. Patience forms the perfect pearl and would make us precious in the eyes of God.
The Pearl of Patience:
1. Particles: Disappointment, defamation or degradation are like ‘hard particles’ that get stuck in our soul. These hard particles are irritants that will push us into insecurity or self-pity. Don’t let the irritants irritate you; coat them with patience.
2. Parasites: Frustration is a parasite which will turn into anger, hatred and animosity. Coat the parasite of frustration with patience. Choose to remain silent and not argue, condemn or justify. If we fight our battles, then God will step back but if we choose patience, God will fight for us.
3. People: There are some people who are drainers, parasites and irritants. Coat yourself with patience even before you have a conversation with them.
Patience turns the parasites into pearls.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, please give me the grace to coat the hard irritants and the frustrations with patience and transform my soul into a precious pearl. Amen.
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