“Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad“– Genesis 40:6

Have you ever noticed how unlikely it was that Joseph would notice the sadness of his cellmates? He had plenty of problems himself, without taking on anyone else’s. His brothers had sold him into slavery and then his boss had fired and imprisoned him on false charges. Yet, Joseph noticed and cared about others.

The surest way out of a personal pit of discouragement is to think of and serve others. The surest way to deepen your dark times is to draw into, and think more about, yourself. Joseph is perhaps the best example in the Old Testament of a selfless, servant-spirited saint and it is no coincidence that, in every situation in which he found himself, he continually rose above his trial and glorified God.

Are you going through difficult times? Have others wronged you? What has been your response? Do you think of others and how to help them, or only about yourself and your own problems? Look around you: there is a world of opportunities to help, and they are all open doors that lead out of your darkness.(Baptist Bible Hour)

“Be ye also patient….” – James 5:8

Our God is a God of patience. The Lord Jesus is the great Example of patience. The Holy Spirit is the Agent producing patience. Trials, troubles, and disappointments, are the means which exercise and strengthen it.

The patience required, is a disposition to bear all that God has appointed for us, without complaining; yea, with resignation and hope: to wait God’s time for the mercies we need, or for answers to the prayers we put up. Patience is the daughter of faith; and it is only as we believe that God has appointed, overrules, or commands, for our good and His glory, that we can be patient.

Patience produces self-possession, shuts the mouth from complaining, keeps back the heart from seeking revenge, and is a principal point in self-government. Are you impatient? Then confess it, and mourn over it, before God; it will make you miserable, and lead you to dishonour God. Watch against it; the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Look at the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, at Jesus; and be ye also patient. “In your patience possess ye your souls.” “Be patient, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”–Jame Smith, 1840

O for Thy grace to aid us on,
And arm with fortitude the breast,
Till, life’s tumultuous voyage o’er,
We reach the shores of heavenly rest!

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.“–Psalm 19:7

A discriminating diner might taste a chef’s dish and exclaim, “Perfection!” An art critic might stare at a famous painting for hours and conclude, “It’s perfect!” Or a young bride-to-be might stare at her engagement ring and whisper, “Oh, it’s perfect!”

Really? Are meals, paintings, and diamonds actually perfect? Not really, but we fully understand what “perfection” means in those situations. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. So is anything in this world actually perfect? The Bible says one thing is: “The law of the Lord.” And what does that mean? It means that God’s words to man, found in Scripture, are complete, lacking for nothing; they cannot be improved upon. There is nothing missing, nothing God forgot to include that we need for faith and practice in the Christian life. Paul wrote that Scripture is sufficient for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). If it weren’t, it wouldn’t be perfect.

God’s Word should be our first stop and the last word on anything about which it speaks. A “perfect” way to begin every day is with the prayerful consideration of God’s perfect Word–(Turning Point)

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”— 1Pe 4:16.

The long-suffering silence of our Lord was the marvel of His foes. “As a lamb that is led to the slaughter and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb,” He opened not His mouth. Before the high priests, He held His peace. To Pilate He gave no answer. Amid the challenge and reproach of the Cross, He answered nothing, save in benediction and prayer. “When He was reviled He did not answer with reviling; when He suffered, He uttered no threats, but left His wrongs in the hands of the righteous Judge.”

Surely this has been His habit through the centuries. In every child suffering through drunken parents, in every martyr burnt at the stake, in every innocent sufferer before high-handed oppression, He has been led as a lamb to the slaughter, but how silent He is! Man may murder His servants and blaspheme His name, but He says never a word! This is the purport of one of those strange announcements which make the Book of Revelation so remarkable. “When He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half-an-hour.” The songs of heaven are hushed; the multitude which cannot be numbered listens to the groans and appeals of their unhelped brethren; the angels stay their anthems, and seem intent on the tragedies about to be described (Rev 8:1). But there does not appear to be any help.

But remember that silence does not imply indifference. At the very time that our Lord was silent before His judges, He was bearing the sin of the world. When the silence is proclaimed in Heaven, we find that the prayers of the saints are being presented on the throne—prayers of intercession, mingled with much incense of Christ’s merit.

It is in this spirit that we are to suffer. We are to conceal our anguish as stoics. No suffering rightly borne is in vain….Be calm, and quiet, and glad! Pray for those who despitefully use you, and ask that your sufferings, rightly borne, may lead to their conversion, as Stephen’s did in the case of Saul.

Heavenly Father, of Thine infinite mercy, give me such assurance of Thy protection amid the troubles and tumults of this mortal life, that I may be preserved in quietness of spirit and in inward peace. AMEN.–F B Meyer

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:…” 1 Cor. 13:4-8

LOVE IS… being willing to have your life complicated by the needs and struggles of others without impatience or anger.

LOVE IS… actively fighting the temptation to be critical and judgmental toward another while looking for ways to encourage and praise.

LOVE IS… making a daily commitment to resist the needless moments of conflict that come from pointing out and responding to minor offenses.

LOVE IS… being lovingly honest and humbly approachable in times of misunderstanding.

LOVE IS… being more committed to unity and understanding than you are to winning, accusing, or being right.

LOVE IS… making a daily commitment to grow in love so that the love you offer to another is increasingly selfless, mature, and patient.

LOVE IS… being unwilling to do what is wrong when you have been wronged, but looking for concrete and specific ways to overcome evil with good.

LOVE IS… being willing to always ask for forgiveness and always being committed to grant forgiveness when it is requested.

LOVE IS… recognizing the high value of trust in a relationship and being faithful to your promises and true to your word.

LOVE IS… speaking kindly and gently, even in moments of disagreement, refusing to attack the other person’s character or assault their intelligence.

LOVE IS… being unwilling to flatter, lie, manipulate, or deceive in any way in order to coerce the other person into giving you what you want…

LOVE IS… the willingness to have less free time, less sleep, and a busier schedule in order to be faithful to what God has called you to be and to do as a spouse, parent, neighbor, etc.

LOVE IS… a commitment to say no to selfish instincts and to do everything that is within your ability to promote real unity, functional understanding, and active love in your relationships.

LOVE IS… staying faithful to your commitment to treat another with appreciation, respect, and grace, even in moments when the other person doesn’t seem deserving or is unwilling to reciprocate.

LOVE IS… the willingness to make regular and costly sacrifices for the sake of a relationship without asking for anything in return or using your sacrifices to place the other person in your debt.

LOVE IS… being unwilling to make any personal decision or choice that would harm a relationship, hurt the other person, or weaken the bond of trust between you.

LOVE IS… refusing to be self-focused or demanding, but instead looking for specific ways to serve, support, and encourage, even when you are busy or tired.  [By Paul Tripp]