1 of 1

In a manual for marriage, the first chapter could be titled, "You Can't Change Another Person." Many people could have avoided a lot of the frustration and strife in their marriage if they'd realized from the get-go that their partner wasn't likely to be any closer to their design after ten years of marriage than that partner was on their wedding day. Instead of feeling they'd been sold a false bill of goods, they'd have had a realistic expectation of the kind of person who would be sharing their life.

Unfortunately, the fact that we can't make other people change is a lesson we don't easily learn. So does that mean you just have to learn to live with the things about your spouse you wish you could alter? Well, yes. But you don't have to give up praying for a new attitude toward your spouse—an attitude of patience.

The Book of James reminds us of one of the Bible's great role model's of patience: Job. As you strive to be more patient with your partner, remember Job's lasting hope in the face of his suffering. He never doubted that God would eventually change his situation. In the end, God helped him. He'll do the same in your life. (See also Job 6:14-21; Revelation 21:1-4.)

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

On a scale of 1 (little patience) to 10 (great patience), how are you doing?

Copyright 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

 1 of 1