In other posts, we’ve mentioned the importance of being sincere and honest with survivors. With the matter of patience, you can’t “fake it till you make it.” If you’re pretending to be patient but are actually highly irritated and frustrated with a survivor, we will often pick up on your insincerity. It will be very hard for us to trust you even when you’re actually sincere.

How do you make people feel? What’s coming across in your tone, voice, or gestures that may contradict your patient words? Be aware of irritation in your attitude. Even if you turn away before you roll your eyes or heave that sigh, survivors will often sense that you are not as patient as you’re acting.

Work on learning how to communicate your frustration in a godly way. It’s possible to communicate with folks without hurting them. We should all base our patience in a growing awareness of the Lord and who we are in God. And let’s be careful, asking God to help us walk in truth and love. It’s a process so we work on developing patience, true love, and wisdom.

Our ever-loving Creator is happy to help us with that.