Teach me patience, O Lord
My soul is uneasy, distraught
Help me to wait, O Lord
This battle so long I’ve fought
Mold and shape me, O Lord
You are the Potter, I’m clay
I’m being remade, O Lord
Inwardly renewed each day
Guide and direct me, O Lord
My eyes greatly need your sight
Step after trembling step
With your wisdom be my light
Hold me up, O Lord
My spirit yearns for strength
Trials that persist
Give me faith unending length
Help me give it over, O Lord
Surrendering everything unto you
Nothing’s impossible ever!
Your LOVE, POWER, MERCY hold true.
Written by Vivian Joy, June 2019
My dear friend Ana and I have recently been discussing how the Lord’s been using our weak bodies to teach us patience. I struggle so much with an impatient attitude and need to constantly run to my heavenly Father for strength as I endure nearly 4 years of chronic fatigue and TBI. He is faithful in calming my spirit, while I wait on Him in hope. He is teaching me to abide in Him with a quieted spirit as a weaned child (Psalm 131:2).
Colossians 1: 9-11
9
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
In this school of being taught by pruning, I am grateful for His love, mercy, and compassion each and every moment, as I surrender to His will. Truly, His plan for my life is good (Romans 8:28) and His grace is sufficient. I’m asking God for wisdom in this and to show me patience with joyfulness as I wait on His timing for healing. He’s healed me so much already and I’m getting stronger but like a child waiting for Christmas, the anticipation of my healing gets greater and more intense as I slowly start to see progress and experience more good days. I want to dive in and unwrap my presents of healing now!
2 Corinthians 12:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
My mama once told me there are three ways we need to learn patience;
1) to be patient with ourselves
2) to be patient with others
3) to be patient with God (His timing)
Being patient is being more like Christ. How glad I am for God’s patience with me! I was just telling Mr. Sweeney the other day what an incredibly slow learner I am. In God’s classroom, I feel like the dunce most days but I’m so very grateful God always extends merciful patience with me as He instructs me through His word.
Please dear God, continue to show me how to wait on you in faith with a renewed spirit of patience.ππ
Much love,
Viv π€
Dear Vivian, this is such a beautiful post. You are a wonderful and beautiful soul. May you feel ever closer to the Lord through these pruning times.
None of us like to wait but we know we all learn it through different life lessons.
I continue to pray that you will restore choir strength and health.
Blessings β€οΈ
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Thanks Perth Girl! Awwwww, how kind of you to say that to me. It’s so encouraging dear one! God bless you!ππππ
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Oops just realised I accidentally wrote choir strength instead of your strength. Maybe you will start singing π€ π
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ππππππ It was a perfect accident…..if you want me to edit it out, I can but I think it’s God’s will and I need to sing. π
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Let it be, typos happen to us all π
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They sure do! I like this one.πππ
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Amen! π
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Thank you!ππ»
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Beautiful, amen! I definitely need to be more patient, especially waiting on God’s timing! God bless!
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Thanks brother! Yes, it’s a test isn’t it? So glad for God’s patience. God continue to bless you Ryan.π
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Beautiful poem, Vivian. You know that I can totally relate to you with the impatience and the chronic fatigue. Saturday was a really good day for me. Every once in a while I have a day where I suddenly have a decent energy day. I don’t waste it either! Lol! I was working like a house on fire to continue my spring cleaning. I’m hoping I’ll actually get my cleaning done before the Summer is through. There were times when I was looking at this mountain as if there was no way I was ever going to reach the top. It was a lot of one step forward, two steps back. I’m getting there, and God is helping me to be more patient. That is a miracle itself! Keep on keeping on, sister. You’re doing great. He won’t let us down. No way. π
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Oh yes, those good days lead me to believe I’m perfectly healed, then I come crashing down again with those relentless symptoms. I understand about the house cleaning……I fail miserably in that area and my house is a dirty mess most of the time. Yes, a mountain….Mt Everest!! You are getting there girl! I greatly admire your perseverance Tina, oh, it encourages my heart to keep trying. Awwww, thank you…..I woke up with a wolf of discouragement nipping at my heels. God knew I needed these words!!ππππ
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I’ve been there, and I still have days where I suddenly feel worn. But We ARE getting there one step at a time. Don’t doubt it. I’ve felt the same way as you have. Everytime I hit a patch where I suddenly have some energy, I’m sure I’m getting better, then I’m hit by that tidal wave, and yeah… it’s hard. You get discouraged, and you don’t want to get back up. You know your going to be hit again. But God keeps telling me to keep on fighting. He’s right there fighting with us. Making us stronger. You may not feel that way now… but I know that I’m getting there… and that means that you’ll get there too. Keep believing and trusting. He’s using every hard day, not just to make you stronger, but also to make those around you stronger! Keep on keepin on. Now, you get some rest and feel better! You’re in my prayers, sis. β€
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This message is so encouraging to my heart dear Tina! God is using you to offer hope, support, love and encouragement to me and I’m sure many others too!! I think many around me have lived with me ill for almost 4 years now, they shrug and think I’m not every going to be recovered. It’s amazing how defeat rubs off onto others just like hope does too. I know God wants me to offer encouraging hope to others because it gives Him the glory and shows others how much we trust Him through the storm. You are a witness and example dear Tina and God and the saints and angels are rejoicing!! I feel stronger now more than ever and know like I jokingly tell my mama, I’m pretty hard to kill. Haha!π Love you tons! ππ Thank you for prayers for me and my family, it means the world to me!!
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Hehe. π Yep, God’s got a hold of ya. Andrew worries when I go out for a walk. We have a great neigborhood, but he worries anyways. I just say, don’t worry, I’m taking God with me. He will keep me safe. π He says, “good girl.” π
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That’s so sweet, my hubby is very protective of me…..I think it’s because of the LOVE. God goes everywhere, yes! Awww, he’s so nice.πππ
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Wonderful!
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Thanks sweetheart! I appreciate your support!π
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Patience is part of the fruit of the Spirit, so we know we have it. Accessing it, on the other hand, is a whole ‘nother thing! π
Sometimes we’re impatient for things we hope for, but that God wills we never have. Sometimes God has a very different direction for us to take. So really, even though we’re impatient, we often don’t know exactly what we’re waiting for!
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Thanks for your thoughts Kathy. I have wrestled with wondering what God’s will is concerning my health. Surrendering it all to Him, I am resting in the knowledge that He knows what’s best for my life and when to heal me completely if that is what He wills. Yes, I agree…….knowing what we’re waiting for can be the challenge. Thanks Kathy. ππ»
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Beautifully written! β€οΈ
βMold and shape me, O Lord
You are the Potter, Iβm clayβ
Amen! π
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Thank you dear Kranti and I’m thankful for you! ππππ
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Yes,yes and more yes.
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Awwwww, dear lady. Thinking of you. ππππ
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Beautiful poem. Praying for you today.
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Oh wow! Thank you so much for cherished prayers! God bless you always Deborah! π€π»
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God bless you, too π
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Tears well up as I read your beautiful poem. You absolutely bring glory to His name. Blessings, sweet Vivian!
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Awwwww, I’m touched that it touched you Cindy! God bless you always my friend! ππππ
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Amen! Patience…ugh! Thatβs my word for it – uuuuggghhh! Yet isnβt it what the Father has determined we must have, come what may – fly high or low. Help us Lord! As I read your heartβs love notes this line jumped out at me Viv –
βMy eyes greatly need your sight.β For you, this may be both literal and figurative and so may the Lord answer on both counts. For me, itβs figurative – I want my heart to see as He sees because unless that happens, I see myself like a bat – flying around and around in a dark cave. Like David and even Habakkuk after he finished griping to Abba I will stand up and say βyet, my eyes are on You and I will trust in You.β Father, Viv and I keep our hearts fixed – transfixed – gazed on You. Speak to us what is true. ππ½ Love you tons π€β₯οΈ
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Bless you precious sister! Lol, yes, ugh. I have never been a patient person and so I believe this trial is teaching just that but ohhhhhh, it’s not fun. Yes, figuratively I’m not seeing things as I should, my faith wavers, I worry, I need to trust. I love your bat analogy!! I am actually as blind as one!ππ But, I am amazed at their echo location abilities which fascinates me, the way they use their squeaks to bounce off objects……their actually teaching blind people echo location to “see” their surroundings….amazing! I saw this on Joni and Friends. One man used tounge clicks to help him ride a bike. It’s crazy!
Oh I love Habakkuk and David. Have you read From Fear To Faith by D. Matrin Lloyd Jones on Habakkuk? Love love love you!ππππππππππ
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Wow! I did not know all this about the bat…isnβt is just like God though, not wasting a moment to teach us lessons. Here Viv, youβve just taught me that even in the dark I can still function. I donβt need to be βdormantβ and without purpose…there is still movement and work for me yet. Wow! Praise the Lord. And that man…talk about riding in faith – literally. Iβve not read that one but you know this book worm will be finding a way to find this book π. Love you, back β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
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Love you, It may not be in print…..but we found a used copy at Goodwill for like 50 cents. π Yes, the echo location. It fascinates me because it’s helping the blind community live more independently. Awwww, yes, I love God’s teaching us to still function in the dark. He is still with us there, and everywhere we go. Yes, he praises God for the lessons learned being blind and actually believes it’s a gift because of the strong faith God’s given him. I just loved watching that episode. ππππ
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Lord, please send me a used copy from Goodwill or even from the churchβs free section of the library so I can be able to read and dialogue some more with my sis, Viv concerning your servant Habakuk. ππ½
Echo location – wow! I am fascinated too. My heart swells with joy that this community is able to receive needed help so that their daily lives are a bit easier to adjust to and handle. If you have the link for that episode too, please shoot me an email so I can watch it. My email addy is deandrahurst@yahoo.com.
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Awww, I prayed too! I wonder if there’s a way to find it online for free? Hmmm, I can look into that. Yes, it would be fun to discuss it sweetheart. And a blessing. Oh, yes, I may need a couple days but I will hunt it down for you and thank you for your email…….Yay!!πππ€
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Oh Viv…I love you this much π€π€π€π€π€. Thank you βΊοΈβ€οΈ
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Awwwwww!!! π€π€π€ I love you too!π
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Beautiful poem!! Love the three ways of patience…thanks so much for sharing your heart Vivian!!
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You’re very welcome! I nominated you for the sunshine award in case you missed it….hugs always!π€ππ
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Oh very sweet thank you!! I didnβt see that, Iβm behind on reading posts but my schedule has changed a bit so I plan on catching upβ€οΈπ
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I am supposed to let you know beforehand but got lazy….π₯ I’m glad, so glad you found me so I could let you know! Much love. Please don’t worry about being behind. I’m so behind in the blogging world I could get an award for it!ππ π
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Haha yes me too π₯…but I just havenβt been able to connect very well in the blogging world and Iβm really missing that!!
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Amen yes Lord! He had to teach me it through a job that wasn’t where He called me to be and I thank Him so much for that lesson. I’ve seen how His patience has grown on me a lot and continues to, for it’s an ongoing process. π You’ll get there. Let Him do what He has to do. β€ blessings!
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Awwww, your comment brings tears of hope to my eyes dear lady. Great is His Faithfulness. I’m blessed by your words especially knowing it’s an ongoing process……amen!! God bless you always my friend and thank you! ππππ
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All glory to God who places His words in my mouth to reach the hearts of the lost and his people that are called by His name β€ …Amen! Yes it is! I receive it! Thank you dear! β€
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Vivian, your prayer-filled poem reaches out to us as well. We all need patience and perseverance.
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Bless you Richard. I’m so glad to hear from you today.
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God bless you and thank you!!β€
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