Danny Wolford delivered a powerful message on patience and love, continuing the ongoing series about the characteristics of godly love. He began by pointing out how impatience has become a defining feature of our society—whether it's waiting for food at a restaurant, being stuck in a long checkout line, or even dealing with slow traffic. Our natural instinct is to become frustrated and angry, but the Bible teaches us a better way to respond.

Key Scripture: James 1:19 – "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."

Danny emphasized that patience is not just about waiting but about how we wait. Many of us struggle with anger, and when impatience boils over, it damages our relationships, clouds our judgment, and weakens our spiritual lives.

Drawing from Proverbs, a book of wisdom, Danny outlined five steps to help believers develop patience and overcome anger:

1. Break the Pattern of Anger – Proverbs 29:11 says that a fool gives full vent to their anger, while a wise person holds it back. Anger fuels more anger, so we must learn to slow down before reacting.

2. Guard Your Relationships – Proverbs 22 warns that spending too much time around angry people will cause their negativity to rub off on us. We need to surround ourselves with people who encourage peace, not rage.

3. Release Worries to God – Psalm 37:8 tells us not to fret, as worrying leads to anxiety and anger. When life feels out of control, we must surrender our frustrations to God in prayer rather than letting them fester into resentment.

4. Get Some Rest – Sometimes, impatience and anger stem from exhaustion. Danny referenced 1 Kings 19, where Elijah was physically and emotionally drained. God’s response? He told Elijah to eat and rest. Similarly, many of our frustrations could be alleviated by slowing down and taking care of ourselves.

5. Change Your Expectations – Proverbs 4:23 says, "Be careful what you think because your thoughts run your life." Many of our frustrations come from unrealistic expectations—whether in relationships, work, or personal goals. When things don’t go our way, we must learn to adjust our perspective rather than letting anger take over.

Danny reminded us that God Himself is slow to anger. Exodus 34:6 says, "The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, is slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." This verse is repeated at least nine times in the Bible—proving that patience is a defining trait of God’s love.

He challenged the congregation to reflect on their own impatience and ask:

• How quickly do I become frustrated?
• Do I allow anger to control my actions?
• Am I trusting God with my anxieties, or am I taking them out on others?

The sermon ended with a call to action—to embrace patience as an act of love. Just as God patiently loves us, we must extend that same patience to others, even in difficult moments. Danny encouraged the congregation to pray for wisdom, to trust in God’s peace, and to be mindful of how anger affects their relationships and faith.

Next week, Danny will cover one of the most difficult aspects of love, before transitioning into the Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross in preparation for Easter.

Breaking the Cycle of AngerGod’s Example of PatienceConclusion: Practicing Patience in a Hurried World