TJ Hirst

Sometimes in our repentance, in our daily efforts to become more Christ-like, we find ourselves repeatedly struggling with the same difficulties. As if we are climbing a tree-covered mountain, at times we don’t see our progress until we get closer to the top and look back from the high ridges. Don’t be discouraged. If you are striving and working to repent, you are in the process of repenting.
Neil L. Andersen

A year ago my friend gave an attribute quiz in a class. We assessed our progress in faith, hope, charity, love, virtue, knowledge, patience, humility, diligence, and obedience. I numbered the statements under each attribute according to how true that statement was about me. At the end, I circled the statements with the lowest numbers as an indication of the areas I needed to grow. She asked us to seal our answers in an envelope and open them in February 2010.

Yesterday, I was given another test. This one consisted of two real-life experiences that tested my patience—my ability to wait for things without getting frustrated or upset.

The first test began when I uncovered an obstacle that had fallen onto my career path. The block was unintentional, but it still kept my work and goals from moving forward. The second unrelated test transpired in the confines of an eye doctor’s waiting room where I was required to spend more time and more money than anticipated and without the available resources.

I unconsciously drew upon a resource of power that I didn’t know I’d gained—patience.

Today I opened the envelope. Each of the statements I circled last year—the areas I wanted to improve—related to the test of my patience with myself, with others, and with circumstances beyond my control. I’m surprised to know that passing the test of patience feels calmer and more peaceful than I expected.

Filed in Spirituality