How to Be Patient with People’s Progress

[How to Be Patient with People’s Progress]( Current Teaching Series [The Habits of Happiness]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [How to Be Patient with People’s Progress]( By Rick Warren — 06/03/2022 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email]( “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT) When my kids were little, they would bring pictures to me that they had drawn and say, “What do you think of this, Daddy?” I would tell them, “That’s perfect! It looks great.” When I told them it was perfect, I didn’t mean that it was a Picasso. I loved what they had created because it was perfect for that stage in their lives. God doesn’t wait until you’re mature for him to start loving you. He doesn’t wait for you to clean up or straighten up to think you’re good enough for his love. You shouldn’t do that with others, either. You’ve got to love them, warts and all. You’ve got to be patient with their progress. The Apostle Paul is a great example in this: “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT). He knew God was doing a good, long work in the lives of the people in the Philippian church, and he was patient with their progress. Why is that so important to your happiness? If you insist on perfection in people, you’re going to be miserable the rest of your life. If you’re always expecting perfection in people before you can enjoy them, then you’re never going to be happy, because nobody’s perfect—especially you. Here’s a little happiness hint: If you want to have happier and healthier relationships, then celebrate how far people have come rather than judging them for how far they still have to go. You’ve got to be patient with people’s progress. To be able to celebrate people instead of judging them for their imperfections, you’ll have to be patient. And the key to patience is love. Paul says in the next verse, “It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart” (Philippians 1:7 NLT). In my heart: This is the real key to happiness. When you love and celebrate people and focus on their steps forward, then you’re going to build healthy, happy relationships. [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - What effect does it have on you when your friends celebrate your success? - How does remembering God’s love for you help you love others well? - If you don’t consider yourself a patient person, what are some ways you can cultivate this fruit of the Spirit in your life? You can rely on God’s promise of salvation Your sin separates you from God, and there’s nothing you can do to make things right. So you need someone to save you from your sins and make you acceptable to God. That’s why God sent Jesus. Jesus’ death on the cross paid for every wrong you’ve ever done or will do. Jesus made it possible for you to have a relationship with God the Father. The Bible says, “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT). You can start your journey with Jesus by believing in him and confessing your sins. If you’re ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus. The post [How to Be Patient with People’s Progress]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email]( [Get The Habits of Happiness Bible Study when you give a gift to support Daily Hope!]( Real, lasting happiness can only be found by following God’s commands. That’s why Pastor Rick created The Habits of Happiness Bible study to show you how happiness that’s grounded in God’s unconditional love runs deeper than any difficult circumstance, feeling, or relationship you experience. This interactive, full color, hardcover book is filled with Scripture, biblical truths, practical lessons, application exercises, and prayers to guide your journey. It’s a comprehensive study tool that will help you develop biblical habits that lead to true and lasting happiness. And thanks to a $50,000 Matching Grant, your gift today will be DOUBLED to reach even more people with the certain hope of Christ! [LEARN MORE]( [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)]( Includes 8 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series The Habits of Happiness. [LEARN MORE]( [Series Summary]( Message 1: Grow Healthy Relationships Message 2: How to Be Happy No Matter What Message 3: The Humble Path to Happiness Message 4: How to Keep Your Heart Happy Message 5: Happiness Can Be Learned Message 6: Five Daily Habits for Happiness Message 7: How to Keep from Stressing Out Message 8: God's Promise to the Generous [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST]( Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com]( Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.]( As the founding pastor of Saddleback Church with his wife Kay, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000-member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As an author, his book [The Purpose Driven Life]( is one of the best-selling nonfiction books in publishing history. It has been translated into 74 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. His book [The Purpose Driven Church]( was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the century. Rick also founded [The PEACE Plan]( to address five global issues—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. 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