June 10: Putting On Patience

It was a small thing at home, but you snapped, and now the house is tense.

Paul uses the image of clothing. Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance. Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other.

Clothing is something you put on every day. You don’t get dressed once and stay dressed forever. Every morning, you choose what to wear.

That’s a helpful way to think about Step Six in daily life. Becoming ready to let go of defects like impatience doesn’t happen once. It’s a daily choice to put on something different.

Home is often where defects show up most. The people closest to you see the worst of you. Impatience with your kids. Irritation with your spouse. Short answers. Slammed doors. And early recovery can make this harder, not easier. Without alcohol to dull things, you feel every frustration fully.

Notice how Paul describes the people he’s writing to. God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved. Before he tells them what to put on, he tells them who they are. You’re loved. You’re chosen. From that place, you can choose patience.

Bearing with one another means accepting that other people will annoy you. They’ll be slow. They’ll forget things. They’ll do things differently than you would. Patience doesn’t mean pretending that doesn’t bother you. It means not letting it run you.

If you snapped today, make it right. A simple apology. I’m sorry I was short with you. That was wrong. That’s integrity from last month and willingness from this month working together.

And remember the second half of the verse. Forgiving each other. Your family may need to be patient with you too, as you change. Grace runs both ways in a house.

One thing today

If you were impatient with someone at home recently, apologize simply today. Tomorrow morning, before you leave your room, pray: today I’m putting on patience.

A prayer

Lord, I’ve been impatient with the people I love most. Help me put on compassion, kindness and patience every morning. Remind me that I’m chosen and loved, so I can love others well. Amen.

On letting God remove defects: Step Six.

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