An Introduction to A Devout Life is really worth reading – today and for the next few days here is a section on patience – yes its old english – but its worth wrestling with:
“YE have need of patience, that, after ye have done the Will of God, ye might receive the promise,” says Saint Paul; 6060 Heb. x. 36. and the Saviour said, “In your patience possess ye your souls.” 6161 S. Luke xxi. 19. The greatest happiness of any one is “to possess his soul;” and the more perfect our patience, the more fully we do so possess our souls. Call often to mind that our Saviour redeemed us by bearing and suffering, and in like manner we must seek our own salvation amid sufferings and afflictions; bearing insults, contradictions and troubles with all the gentleness we can possibly command. Do not limit your patience to this or that kind of trial, but extend it universally to whatever God may send, or allow to befall you. Some people will only bear patiently with trials which carry their own salve of dignity,—such as being wounded in battle, becoming a prisoner of war, being ill-used for the sake of their religion, being impoverished by some strife out of which they came triumphant. Now these persons do not love tribulation, but only the honour which attends it. A really patient servant of God is as ready to bear inglorious troubles as those which are honourable.
