Patience

2 Peter 3:9  (NIV)The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

1 Cor. 13:4  (NIV)Love is patient, love is kind.

I am convinced that one of the most necessary ingredients for working with men and women recently released from prison, is patience. Patience smoothes over the bumps and cracks, allowing one to see past them to keep the eye on the goal: helping people grow to become like Jesus. 

Patience listens to the persons heart’s desire and doesn’t focus on their behaviour. This can protect the heart from discouragement as people struggle and sometimes fail after facing challenges and past issues that arise often and sometimes without warning.

Patience means not forcing our time-table on anyone but allowing them to grow and change at a pace that is sustainable for them

Patience allows for trust to develop, as the person we are supporting doesn’t feel we have an agenda or that they are a “project” with a timeline.

Patience prepares one for the long haul where recovery is sometimes measured in baby steps over years, not usually quick or easy. (The quick and easy progress often cloaks deeper, well-buried problems that will always eventually surface.)

It means that we don't give up on anyone. There may be needed times of rest when a break is required because the involvement has been so intense, but we don’t “wash our hands” and we don’t “close any doors.”

Patience is the fruit of a Spirit-filled life and flows from love.  When we lack it we need to look inside and not focus on the one we are impatient with.

Patience is elusive for many reasons.  One, is our own selfishness and self-centeredness.  Another is that we live in an age of quick fixes, when we look for immediate results. Unfortunately, real life is seldom like that. We can find patience though when we keep our own condition and moment-by-moment need of God's grace firmly fixed in our mind.

Patience is possible when ego isn't involved- a person’s recovery is about him/her, not a reflection on us and our effectiveness.
     

Patience is possible when we have a clear belief in a Heavenly Father who pursues and never stops extending His arms of love, inviting us to faith in Christ and obedience to His word.  I am so glad He pursued me. We can’t give up on people, because God doesn’t give up on us.