We must abide with God and allow His Holy Spirit to work through us, and then the gift of patience will bear fruit in our lives.

Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

It is so easy to be hot tempered in today’s society. Life goes at such a fast pace, it is easy to get angry even when the drive thru line is taking 10 minutes longer than normal. Where does my temper get me? I only stir up dissension when I allow my temper to get the best of me.This verse also applies in my family life. How many times have I had a hot temper concerning my husband or my children? Every single time I allow my temper to rule my emotions, I cause dissension in my marriage and in my relationship with my children. 

Patience is the key to calm quarrels. Patience is also a fruit of the Spirit, which means I cannot manufacture it on my own. I must abide with God and allow His Holy Spirit to work through me and then the fruit of patience will bear fruit in my life. See how that works? It is not by me willing myself to be patient with my children that I show patience, but it is by my relationship with God. 

Prayer:

Father, My prayer is to be aware of my temper and have patience. I acknowledge that I cannot produce patience on my own, but I need the Holy Spirit to bear it in my life. God, I submit my life to you; mold me into what you want me to be. Keep me ever mindful of whether I am bringing dissension into my home or making it a peaceful place to live.