Patience

Caring for a parent with Alzheimer's disease takes what Carolyn Sherman calls "the patience of Job." Carolyn and Sandy Sherman have cared for both their mothers for ten years. For two of those year the two older women lived at home with the Shermans. Carolyn says she prayed many times for the patience and strength to see this through. "You do get irritated. You do lose it sometimes," said Carolyn. "I never realized that it would take so much time and so much patience." Carolyn went on the say that she had prayed many times for the ability to see it through.
   Even well-intentioned people, like Job's foolish counselors, believe that all suffering or sickness is the direct result of sin. Throughout the book of Jon we've seen Job's friends try to convince him that he had done something to displease God, that somehow Job was responsible for the horrible things that had happened to him. But this could not be further from the truth. Everyone suffers-the righteous and the unrighteous-including Job, who "was blameless and upright;he feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1). For some reason God chose to use Job as an example of patience in the midst of great suffering.
    When something tragic happens, we often scramble to figure out why. Did I sin? Did they sin? If we didn't sin, then who sinned? Like Job's friend, we just want to affix blame so we can make some kind of sense out of the seemingly senseless. But not all suffering is the direct result of sin. Paul's thorn in the flesh was not given to him because he was such a sinner, but because God wanted him to understand something important about suffering. God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
   The simple truth is that God is not constrained to tell us "why" bad things happen to us. But he will let us know "how" to walk through them....with →patience and hope←. Yes, Job had some questions he wanted God to answer. But despite his questions Job could still faithfully proclaim, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." Can the same be said of you? -Women's Devotional Bible

{Job 13:1-28}
1 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes
and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
2 I know as much as you do.
You are no better than I am.
3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies.
As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you could be silent!
That’s the wisest thing you could do.
6 Listen to my charge;
pay attention to my arguments.
7 “Are you defending God with lies?
Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
8 Will you slant your testimony in his favor?
Will you argue God’s case for him?
9 What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?
Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
10 No, you will be in trouble with him
if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
11 Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?
Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
12 Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.
13 “Be silent now and leave me alone.
Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
14 Yes, I will take my life in my hands
and say what I really think.
15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope.
I am going to argue my case with him.
16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless.
If I were, I could not stand before him.
17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say.
Hear me out.
18 I have prepared my case;
I will be proved innocent.
19 Who can argue with me over this?
And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.
Job Asks How He Has Sinned
20 “O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?
Would you chase dry straw?
26 “You write bitter accusations against me
and bring up all the sins of my youth.
27 You put my feet in stocks.
You examine all my paths.
You trace all my footprints.
28 I waste away like rotting wood,
like a moth-eaten coat.

{Romans 5:1-5}
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

{2 Corinthians 12:7-10}
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.