READING 262-24 PARAPHRASED AND EXPLAINED
(Q) Please give us a daily prayer meditation on patience.
(A) O Lord, how gracious is Your presence on Earth. Be our guide, so that with patience we may run the race set before us, always looking to You—the source of light and life.
In order for us to develop true patience, we must live it out in our own experiences. Just like with love or any spiritual quality, patience cannot simply be learned intellectually—it must be practiced. If we want to reflect the loving patience of the Creator, we must first show patience toward our fellow human beings.
As Christ was asked, "How many times should I forgive—seven times?" and He replied, "No, seventy times seven." This isn't just a number, but a lesson: forgiveness and patience must become a way of life. By practicing patience, we grow in spiritual understanding. Knowledge alone is meaningless unless it is grounded in patience and love in the Lord.
Be still—and in stillness, you will see the glory of God. Through patience, you gain mastery of your soul. The more you act in harmony with your true self, with others, and with God’s presence in your life, the more patience will naturally develop in your heart. And with this, your soul deepens in its understanding of the Divine.
Patience is one of God’s gifts—part of His consciousness expressed in our human lives. As we live it more fully, we prepare for the next lesson: The Open Door. Will you be ready to step into the joy of the Lord?
262-24 Paraphrased
This reading is a spiritual meditation on patience. It tells us that:
We must live and practice patience, not just talk or think about it.
To truly know patience, we must show it to others—especially when it's hard.
Patience brings understanding; just having knowledge isn’t enough.
Patience, love, and forgiveness are divine qualities that shape our soul.
The more we are aware of God’s presence and work with Him, the more patience we develop.
Through patience, we grow spiritually and prepare for the “Open Door,” a symbol of entering deeper joy and connection with the Divine.
In essence: Patience isn't passive—it's a powerful, active spiritual path that leads us closer to God and our true purpose.
(Q) What should be the main ideas and foundation for our meditations and questions about patience?
(A) As it’s been said: "In patience, possess your soul before the Throne of God."
So, often take time to connect with your inner self—the part of you that stands as a witness before that Divine Throne. This deep connection can only be reached through patience.
When you lose patience, you lose your center. That’s when fear and confusion can creep in. But patience doesn’t mean being passive or doing nothing—it means moving forward steadily and with faith. Run your race with patience, keeping your eyes on God—the source of light, truth, and eternal life.
Let this be the foundation for every person's spiritual path. Patience isn’t just quiet acceptance; it also includes standing firmly for what is right. Serve the living God not just by waiting quietly, but with strength, purpose, and even righteous anger when needed.
262-24 Paraphrased
This passage gives guidance on how to approach the idea of patience in meditation and spiritual reflection. It teaches that:
True patience is deeply spiritual—it helps you connect to your inner self and to God.
Losing patience leads to losing your grounding, which opens you to fear and negativity.
Patience isn’t passivity. It’s an active, steady strength. You’re called to “run the race”—to live, act, and grow—with patience.
God is your focus—the source of all truth and light.
Patience includes strength. It’s not just gentle waiting, but also includes righteous action when guided by divine purpose.
Bottom line: Patience is powerful. It’s about steady inner connection, faithful action, and courage—not just sitting still. It’s how we approach God, ourselves, and life with strength and grace.
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(Q) When does patience stop being a virtue?
(A) When you become content with your current situation or circumstances and no longer strive to grow.
262-24 Paraphrased
This short but deep answer means:
Patience is a virtue when it's used to endure, grow, and move forward spiritually or personally—not when it becomes an excuse for complacency.
If you become too comfortable or satisfied with your environment or habits and stop seeking improvement, growth, or higher purpose, then your "patience" is no longer virtuous.
In other words, patience must be active, not passive. It’s meant to support ongoing growth—not to justify stagnation or laziness.
Key takeaway:
Patience is only a virtue when it's part of a living, striving soul—not a resting place for those who’ve stopped trying.
(Q) How can we overcome the small, irritating problems that test our patience in daily life?
(A) Remember what Christ promised: as you seek help, the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) is always with you and will speak on your behalf in every situation. He said, “I will not leave you comfortless. Don’t be afraid.”
It’s okay to feel anger—just don’t let it lead you into sin. In growing in understanding, keep close to His presence in everything you do and say, because every thought matters.
God’s grace is enough for every struggle. Stay prayerful, live with intention, and practice selflessness—putting others ahead of yourself. Let go of ego, and unite yourself with Him.
These are the answers—not through outer actions alone, but through inner spiritual growth. That’s what gives the soul its beauty and allows patience to shine from within.
262-24 Paraphrased
This passage offers spiritual guidance for handling daily irritations with patience. Here's what it's saying:
You're not alone. The Comforter (Holy Spirit) is with you always. You can rely on that presence in every difficulty.
It’s okay to feel things like frustration or anger, but don’t let them control your actions or lead to negative behavior (“Be mad, but sin not”).
Invite God’s presence into all parts of your life—thoughts, words, actions. Nothing is too small.
Every thought matters. We’re accountable for them all, so we must strive to align our inner life with grace and purpose.
Live selflessly. Let go of your ego and put others first—this humility helps cultivate patience.
Patience grows from the inside out. It’s not about just behaving calmly on the outside, but about deepening your soul so that calm, grace-filled patience flows naturally.
Key takeaway:
To overcome daily annoyances, don’t just suppress your reactions—transform your inner self through awareness of God's presence, prayer, humility, and selfless love. That’s how patience becomes a radiant strength within you.
(Q) Does having the ability to no longer see faults in others mean we've truly developed patience?
(A) No—not quite. True patience begins when, even in seeing the faults of others, you still recognize and honor the presence of the Divine (God) within them.
262-24 Paraphrased
This response gives a profound insight:
Patience doesn’t mean ignoring faults or pretending people are perfect.
Instead, it means that even when you notice someone’s flaws, you can still see them with compassion, love, and spiritual awareness—because you recognize that God is within them, too.
When you reach this point—seeing past a person’s flaws to the divine presence within—you’re not at the end of your spiritual growth, but at the true beginning of patience.
Key takeaway:
Patience isn’t about being blind to faults—it’s about seeing clearly and still choosing love, grace, and understanding. When you can do that, you’ve started walking the real path of patience.
(Q) Please explain my personal shortcomings related to patience, and how I can improve.
(A) Start by letting go of the habit of criticizing or finding fault in others. When you stop focusing on others’ flaws, patience will begin to show in your words, actions, and behavior. This shift is the beginning of true wisdom.
Ask yourself: Do I truly understand why someone acted a certain way? Probably not fully. So instead of judging them, turn inward and look for the cause within yourself. This self-awareness is the path to increasing your own patience.
When small, annoying situations tempt you to snap back or respond quickly—pause. Ask: Is there a fault in me that’s being triggered? If you find something, work on that. But if you don’t find a fault, and you’re acting from your highest ideals, then remain silent—just as Christ did when He was unjustly criticized.
262-24 Paraphrased
This passage offers personal, spiritual advice about overcoming impatience:
Criticism and judgment of others block patience. If you’re focused on other people’s flaws, you’ll react quickly and harshly.
Instead, look within. Even in frustrating moments, ask: What can I learn about myself here? That’s how you grow in patience.
Wisdom begins with humility. Assuming you don’t know the whole story behind someone’s behavior helps you respond with grace instead of judgment.
When you're tempted to speak sharply in minor irritations, try silent restraint—not as weakness, but as spiritual strength.
Christ modeled this: He didn’t defend Himself when unfairly attacked. That quiet strength is part of deep patience.
Key takeaway:
Stop judging others, examine yourself first, and when you act from your ideals—respond with calm or silence. That’s how patience, wisdom, and spiritual strength are born.
(Q) How does the Master (Christ) define patience?
(A) He taught, "In patience, possess ye your souls!" This means that your soul remains aligned with God through patience.
When you lose patience, you open the door to influences that separate you from your true self and from your Creator. That’s why patience isn’t just a virtue—it’s the means by which your soul stays connected to God. So hold onto your soul through patience.
262-24 Paraphrased
This passage gives a powerful spiritual definition of patience:
Christ’s words, “In patience possess ye your souls,” mean that patience is how you protect and keep your soul aligned with God.
Losing patience isn’t just emotional—it creates a spiritual vulnerability. It allows negative influences (like anger, fear, ego) to pull you away from your higher self and from God.
So patience isn’t just about waiting calmly. It’s about maintaining spiritual wholeness, even under stress, irritation, or challenge.
Key takeaway:
Patience is how you hold onto your soul and keep it united with God. Lose patience, and you risk drifting from your true spiritual center. Keep patience, and you stay anchored in divine connection.
(Q) Please comment on this quote by Epictetus: "There are two faults worse than any others—being unable to endure and being unable to refrain."
(A) This statement reflects the different ways individuals respond to daily life challenges. It's based on their own personal experiences in handling pressure and difficulty. One fault—inability to bear—shows up as passivity or failure to act when needed. The other—inability to forbear—shows as overreacting or acting too quickly, driven by anxiety or impulse.
262-24 Paraphrased
This is a reflection on two extremes of human behavior:
Inability to bear – This means not having the strength or patience to endure hardship or uncomfortable situations. It leads to inaction, weakness, or avoidance.
Inability to forbear – This means not being able to hold back, to wait, or to restrain yourself. It often leads to impulsiveness, anger, or overreaction.
The reading explains that these two faults stem from how individuals deal with life:
Some people shut down or do nothing when faced with difficulty (inactivity).
Others push too hard or react too quickly out of anxiety (overactivity).
So, patience lies in the balance: the ability to endure without shutting down and to hold back without exploding.
Key takeaway:
Epictetus’s quote highlights the danger of two spiritual imbalances: giving up too easily or pushing too hard. True growth—and patience—comes from learning how to both endure and restrain wisely.
(Q) What about the saying, “All great things are slow of growth”?
(A) It’s absolutely true. As has often been said, the soul develops based on what it is nourished with. And the soul of a human being is the greatest part of creation—because it has the potential to be one with God.
Growth doesn’t happen all at once. It comes slowly—step by step, little by little, piece by piece. That’s the natural way spiritual growth occurs, so that the soul can become united with its Creator.
Don’t forget the powerful truth given by Christ: that you are not just absorbed into God, but still maintain your individuality, even while being one with Him. You are not just a small part—you are equal with the whole, because you are one with Him.
You’re not outsiders or strangers to God—you are His children, sons and daughters of the Holy One.
262-24 Paraphrased
This passage affirms the truth of the saying “All great things take time to grow.” Here's what it teaches:
Spiritual growth is slow and steady—it doesn’t happen all at once. Like building a strong foundation, it takes daily nourishment and small steps.
The soul is the greatest creation, because it has the potential to unite with God—yet still remain uniquely itself.
Growth happens “line upon line, here a little, there a little”—meaning consistent, patient, layered effort.
Becoming one with God doesn’t erase your identity. You remain an individual, yet fully united with the Divine. That’s part of the soul’s greatness.
You are not separate from God—you are His child, part of the divine family, with all the potential that comes with it.
Key takeaway:
True greatness—especially of the soul—grows slowly, through daily effort and spiritual nourishment. You’re not meant to disappear into God, but to grow into oneness while keeping your unique self, as His beloved child.
(Q) What does the phrase "Content but not satisfied" mean?
(A) Being content means having peace in your heart, saying: “Have Your way, Lord. Use me as a channel for Your will. Not what I want, but what You desire.” That’s true contentment—trusting in God’s purpose and being open to serve.
Being satisfied, however, implies self-gratification or feeling like you've "arrived" or done enough. That kind of satisfaction can lead to spiritual stagnation or pride—because it shifts the focus from God to self-glorification, which is the beginning of spiritual decline.
262-24 Paraphrased
This passage draws a subtle but powerful distinction:
Contentment is spiritual. It’s about being at peace with where you are while still remaining open, humble, and willing to do God’s will.
Satisfaction, in this context, leans toward self-centeredness. When you feel fully “satisfied,” you may stop striving, growing, or listening to God's guidance. That’s when ego starts to take over.
Key takeaway:
Be at peace (content), trusting in God’s will—but never think you're done (satisfied). Stay humble, open, and always growing in spirit.
(Q) What about the saying, “Offenses committed out of desire are worse than those committed in anger”?
(A) The phrase “Be angry, but sin not” means that anger, when not rooted in selfish ambition or the desire for self-glory, can sometimes be like a force of light—it can expose and clear away darkness when used righteously.
Whether desire-based offenses are truly worse depends on the experience and perspective of the person making the statement. Some might use this idea to justify their own actions or shortcomings.
But more important than comparing which is worse is this: Let your desires be surrendered to God. When desire is given over to Him, you gain understanding and true light. That light is found in patience—with yourself, with others, and with life—while always seeking to be guided by the Lord.
262-24 Paraphrased
This response doesn’t directly agree or disagree with the statement. Instead, it points to deeper truths:
Anger, in itself, is not always sinful—if it comes from a place of truth and not ego. It can be a force that reveals what’s wrong (like light dispersing darkness).
Desire, especially when driven by selfishness or personal gain, can more easily lead to sin because it exalts the self.
But rather than debating which is worse, the reading advises us to surrender desire to God.
When we give up ego-driven wants, we gain understanding, light, and patience—with ourselves and with others.
This spiritual patience helps keep us aligned with God's guidance, regardless of the emotions or temptations we face.
Key takeaway:
Rather than justifying anger or condemning desire, focus on letting go of selfishness and seeking God’s will. Through that surrender, you’ll find clarity, patience, and the light that leads to spiritual growth.
READING 262-25 PARAPHRASED AND EXPLAINED
Patience, when truly active in a person’s life, shows itself as meekness in action and purity of heart. These qualities open the soul to growth and make a person more aware of their inner spiritual connection and purpose—bringing them into harmony with the creative, divine energies that shape a spiritual life.
As a person’s spiritual nature grows and integrates with their physical life, it naturally starts to express itself in Christ-like ways. This includes how one speaks, acts, thinks, and reacts—all should reflect love, just as Christ did.
Patience is not just waiting; it's an essential and dynamic mental, physical, and spiritual practice. It helps you measure your own spiritual maturity—whether your faith is just belief or backed by action, whether your virtues come from true understanding or simply from following rigid rules, and whether you're truly living in alignment with your spiritual ideal.
Patience also involves working in cooperation with others, not just acting alone.
Ultimately, this lesson on patience is meant to be the culmination of everything you’ve learned so far. It’s not just about what you’ve taught or shared with others—it’s about whether you're now ready to actually live those teachings, day by day, in your actions. Only by doing so can you truly "enter in"—meaning, grow spiritually and move closer to unity with the Divine.
262-25 Paraphrased
This reading teaches that patience is a deep, active spiritual force, not just passive waiting.
Here’s what it’s saying in simpler terms:
Patience is a spiritual practice that looks like humility (meekness) and inner purity. When you live it, your soul starts to grow and align with God’s creative power.
As your soul expands, your life naturally reflects Christ-like qualities—love in your speech, thoughts, and actions.
Patience helps you check your spiritual progress:
Are you really living your ideals?
Is your faith active or just a belief?
Do you understand virtue, or just follow rules?
It’s not enough to talk about spiritual truths—you must live them.
This lesson is a summary of everything you’ve learned so far in your spiritual journey.
Now, it’s time to live those truths consistently, in daily life, to truly grow and move closer to God.
Key Takeaway:
Patience is not passive—it’s spiritual strength in motion. It reveals your true relationship with your ideals, with others, and with God. Living patience is how your soul expresses divine love and becomes one with the Christ spirit in daily life.
(Q) How can I live more fully and gain understanding through patience?
(A) By living out what you already know, day by day. The Spirit never asks you to live or do more than what you already have the ability to understand. When you put into practice what you know today, the next level of understanding will come naturally.
Now is the time to act. Those who truly move forward spiritually are the ones who trust in what they already have—living by faith—and who patiently wait for the right moment to take the next step.
Use what’s already in your hands—what you know, what you’ve been given. That’s how you grow.
262-25 Paraphrased
This passage gives clear, practical spiritual advice:
You don't need more knowledge before living spiritually. You already know enough to begin.
Start applying your current understanding today—right now is the time to live it.
As you act on what you know, more understanding will come step by step.
Faith and patience are key. Trust that you’re being guided and that the next step will be shown when you’re ready.
Don’t wait for perfect conditions or more knowledge—use what you’ve been given.
Key Takeaway:
Spiritual growth happens through doing, not just knowing. Live your truth today, trust the process, and patiently let deeper understanding unfold, one step at a time.
(Q) Is there a message that can help me practice more perfect patience?
(A) Yes. As you live each day with trust, hope, and faith, and express those qualities through patience, you’ll become more aware within yourself that all is well with God—that you're in harmony with Him.
Remember: If the Lord is with you, who can truly be against you?
So, trust, and do what you already know is right. Act as you're guided by the Spirit within you. And don’t dwell on the past or regret what’s behind—remember the lesson of Lot’s wife, who looked back and became frozen in the past.
262-25 Paraphrased
This message offers guidance for strengthening patience through daily spiritual practice:
Patience grows from trust, hope, and faith—lived out day by day.
As you live patiently, your inner awareness will grow. You’ll feel more deeply that you're aligned with God and that things are truly okay, even if life feels uncertain.
The reminder “If the Lord is on your side, who can be against you?” is a call to confidence and inner security in God’s presence.
You're encouraged to:
Trust fully.
Do what you already know is right.
Follow your inner spiritual guidance.
Let go of the past—don’t look back with regret, fear, or attachment (as symbolized by Lot’s wife in the Bible).
Key Takeaway:
To grow in patience, live each day in trust and faith, do what’s right, listen to your inner spiritual direction, and move forward—not backward. Patience is strengthened by confident, forward-looking trust in God.
(Q) In reading 262-24, what does the phrase “Be mad but sin not” mean? Please explain.
(A) Being able to control yourself while angry is the very beginning of spiritual growth and maturity. When someone says something that stirs up resentment or anger in you, and you’re able to rise above the words, not let them control your actions—and even still love the soul of the person who upset you—that’s the start of true spiritual strength.
This ability to feel anger but still choose love and understanding is what patience, love, hope, meekness, and purity of heart are all about. Christ said, “The meek shall inherit the earth,” and “The pure in heart shall see God.” These aren’t just ideas—they are promises made to you personally.
So when you hear, “Be angry, but sin not,” it means: feel what you feel, but don't let anger lead you into hurtful or destructive action. Instead, hold to your spiritual promises—they are yours, if you believe.
262-25 Paraphrased
This passage explains how to handle anger in a spiritual way:
Anger itself isn’t the problem. It’s a natural human emotion.
The spiritual lesson is about self-control: when you’re upset, can you still act with love, patience, and clarity?
It’s okay to dislike the situation or even feel resentment, but you’re called to look beyond that—to see the other person’s soul and respond with love, not retaliation.
This is the essence of Christ-like patience and purity of heart.
The quote “Be angry, but sin not” is about being emotionally honest, but not letting those emotions lead to sin or harm.
And importantly, the reading reminds you that the spiritual promises—peace, vision, inner strength—are yours, if you live by them and believe in them.
Key Takeaway:
You can feel anger without letting it rule you. Spiritual maturity is shown when you choose love and patience even in moments of frustration. That’s what it means to “be mad but sin not”—to stay rooted in your promises from God, even when emotions rise.
(Q) When I practice patience, am I truly living the meaning of “In patience possess ye your soul”? If not, please explain simply how I can.
(A) Every person expresses this truth—"possess ye your soul"—through their actions, whatever those actions may be. It's a spiritual reality that you become aware of and connected to: the sense that your soul is part of, and one with, the living God.
Remember, it’s not your physical body ("flesh and blood") that connects you with God—it’s your spirit that awakens and brings your soul into full awareness of God's presence, whether you're operating on a physical, mental, or spiritual level.
So yes, this soul-possession through patience is expressed in everyone's life in some form. It’s not about whether you do it the same way as someone else—that would be judging. And who has the right to judge? Only God—the true judge—is capable of that. Ultimately, it’s your own soul, seeking unity with Him, that will know if you’re truly living it.
262-25 Paraphrased
This passage reassures you that:
Yes, you are expressing the truth of “possessing your soul” through patience—in your own way, through your daily actions.
Every act in life can be an expression of your soul growing closer to God, as long as it’s done with spiritual awareness.
It’s not about comparing yourself to others. Each person lives this truth differently.
Judging yourself by someone else’s path isn’t helpful—God is the only true judge.
What matters is that your soul is sincerely seeking oneness with God. That intention, lived through patience, is what brings your soul to life.
Key Takeaway:
You do express “possess ye your soul” through your patience and sincere actions—so long as you're seeking unity with God from within. Don’t compare or judge—trust your soul’s journey, and let your spirit lead.
(Q) What does it truly mean when someone feels like they’ve completely run out of patience?
(A) It means they’ve lost patience with themselves.
262-25 Paraphrased
This response cuts straight to the heart of the issue:
When you feel like you can’t be patient anymore—whether with people, situations, or challenges—it’s often a sign that you’ve become frustrated or disappointed with yourself.
Maybe you expected yourself to handle things better, stay calmer, or be stronger—and when you fall short of that, you unconsciously turn the frustration inward.
This internal conflict weakens your patience, not just with others but also with life as a whole.
Key Takeaway:
Feeling like your patience is gone often points to self-judgment or discouragement. The remedy? Be kinder to yourself. Renew your patience with your own growth process, and you’ll find it easier to be patient with everything else.
(Q) Is there a message that can help me practice patience more fully in my work and in every situation?
(A) Yes—be faithful to what’s been entrusted to you each day. If you’re reliable in the small tasks, you’ll be trusted with greater ones.
Those who truly feel the Spirit of God within—those who honestly seek His presence—understand that now is the time when we must practice patience with each other, no matter the situation.
Why? Because Christ Himself endured everything with patience so that we could be connected to the Father. His example of patience, love, and spiritual awareness in daily life is the model we are to follow.
So, focus on what you know is right, and do it faithfully. Don’t compare yourself with others or worry about their choices. Stay true to what you know to do.
262-25 Paraphrased
This message gives both comfort and direction:
Faithfulness in small things is the foundation of patience. When you commit to doing the simple things well, your strength and capacity for patience grow.
God’s Spirit is with those who seek Him, and when you feel that presence, you realize that practicing patience—especially with others—is essential in today’s world.
Christ’s life is the example: He endured so much, patiently and lovingly, to give us access to a relationship with God. Our patience mirrors His.
Don’t get distracted by how others behave or what they choose to do. Your growth comes from doing what you know is right, with consistency and trust.
Key Takeaway:
Patience grows from daily faithfulness—not dramatic gestures, but quiet, steady effort. Follow Christ’s example, focus on your own path, and trust that through patience and love, you are aligning more deeply with the Divine.
(Q) What is the "time" referred to in James 5:8: “Be ye patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh”?
(A) That time is now—today. This is the moment when every soul is being called to become more deeply aware of the importance of revealing God's presence—through patience shown to one another, with one another, and as part of one another. In doing so, we allow God to be glorified through us.
This reflects the promise of the Father: that those who love and welcome His presence will experience it. So, live each day as if you truly expected Christ to sit at your table today.
Ask yourself: What would I offer Him—through my life, my thoughts, my words, and my actions?
Remember His words: “Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto Me.”
262-25 Paraphrased
This message interprets James 5:8 not as a distant prophecy, but as something deeply personal and present:
The “coming of the Lord” is not just a future event—it’s an invitation to awaken to God's presence here and now, through how you live and relate to others.
Patience is the key to expressing that presence. When you're patient with others, you create space for Christ to be seen and felt through you.
You’re called to live as if Christ Himself were visiting your home today. That means examining your daily life—your words, your actions, your inner thoughts—as if you were offering them directly to Him.
And Christ made it clear: how you treat others—especially those in need—is how you treat Him.
Key Takeaway:
Now is the time to embody Christ’s presence through patience, love, and service. Live each day as if Christ were personally coming to you, and let your life be the offering you lay before Him.
(Q) Are my problems difficult to overcome because I lack patience? If so, how can I develop the patience I need?
(A) First, ask yourself: Is your ideal truly centered in God? Are you living in alignment with that ideal? Do your values and understanding reflect that commitment?
If so, then patiently wait—as Christ did—for the inner awakening that brings clarity and the power to overcome your challenges.
Take an honest look at yourself. Maybe it’s not just patience that’s lacking—it could be faith, love, self-discipline, understanding, or some other spiritual quality.
Don’t blame others. Instead, purify your own heart, mind, and soul. When you do that, your attitude toward problems will change. You’ll begin to meet them with a deep, loving understanding that has no fear—only peace in God’s love, praise, and presence.
262-25 Paraphrased
This message goes beyond just saying “you need more patience.” It encourages self-examination and alignment with your spiritual values:
Start by checking your foundation: Is your focus truly on God? Are you living according to what you say you believe?
Patience comes through spiritual readiness. As you grow in awareness and understanding, the ability to handle problems patiently will follow—just as it did with Christ.
Look inward instead of outward. When problems feel overwhelming, it’s not necessarily because of others—it may be that something within you (like patience, faith, or love) needs strengthening.
When you stop blaming and start cleansing your inner life, your perspective shifts. You begin to face challenges with confidence, peace, and love, not fear or frustration.
Key Takeaway:
Your struggles may feel harder because something spiritual—like patience, faith, or love—is underdeveloped. Align yourself fully with God, look inward honestly, and let that inner clarity bring peace and the strength to overcome.
(Q) I’ve occasionally felt the presence of a friend who has passed away in my room. Is this contact harmful or helpful?
(A) Such experiences are not harmful. In fact, they can be meaningful. There are always souls—both seen and unseen—seeking connection, whether to help us or to be helped by us.
As you offer support to that soul—through prayer and love—you not only help lighten their path, but your own way also becomes clearer and easier.
262-25 Paraphrased
This message provides gentle reassurance and guidance:
Feeling the presence of someone who has passed on isn’t something to fear—it may be part of a spiritual exchange, where help flows in both directions.
Just as we help others in daily life, we can also spiritually support souls who have moved on, especially through prayer.
When you pray for their peace and healing, you also invite peace into your own life.
The connection isn’t harmful—instead, it’s an opportunity for mutual growth, comfort, and healing.
Key Takeaway:
When a departed loved one’s presence is felt, see it as a sacred moment. Pray for them with love and light, and you’ll both be uplifted. Helping others—on this side or the next—brings healing to your own soul as well.
(Q) Is there a message that can help me practice patience?
(A) Yes. Use what you already know and have—put it into action. Then, with patience, wait for the light and understanding that will come when you can honestly say, “I am using what You have given me, Lord.”
262-25 Paraphrased
This message offers a simple but powerful reminder:
You already have what you need—spiritual truth, inner guidance, experience. The key is to start using it.
Don’t wait for more knowledge or the perfect moment—act on what you’ve already been given.
As you do that, and wait with patience, greater clarity and spiritual light will come.
The deep realization—“I am truly using what God has given me”—will bring peace, confidence, and more understanding.
Key Takeaway:
Patience begins by faithfully acting on what you already know is right. Use what’s in your hands, and trust that greater light and growth will come in time.
(Q) If someone understands their oneness with Father-Mother-God, why don’t they always feel the joy, peace, and harmony that are their divine birthright? Could the answer come from the Master Jesus?
(A) Then—with patience, wait. Ask yourself: has that oneness become so real within you that the conscious presence of the Master is with you in every moment of your life?
If so, then continue to wait on the Lord with patience. For when that awareness of oneness is truly established—and the soul is seen as ready and worthy—then, and only then, does the divine vessel (your soul) remain filled and sustained with His presence and joy.
262-25 Paraphrased
This message from the reading gives a deep and gentle reminder:
Even when we intellectually or spiritually understand our oneness with God, the full experience of divine joy and harmony doesn’t always happen immediately.
That’s because spiritual readiness isn’t just about knowing—it’s about being made ready, about becoming a vessel that can hold and sustain that joy.
The Master (Christ) waits for the soul to become fully open, faithful, and aligned—to be "worthy of acceptation."
When the soul is ready, God doesn’t withhold anything. The vessel will be kept full—filled with joy, peace, and divine presence.
Until then, the instruction is simple and clear: be patient. Continue deepening your readiness. Remain faithful and open.
Key Takeaway:
Knowing your oneness with God is the beginning—but experiencing its full joy takes patience, faith, and spiritual preparation. When your soul is truly ready, God fills it and sustains it. Until then, wait patiently on the Lord, trusting in His perfect timing.
READING 262-26 REPHRASED AND EXPLAINED
Each person should use the following as a foundation for how to apply patience in their life:
Patience is not something passive or weak—it is active and powerful. It serves as a mirror that reflects how well you are living according to your spiritual ideals—such as virtue, purity, hope, faith, understanding, cooperation, brotherly love, kindness, and even patience itself. These are all soul qualities, rooted in the spirit.
Patience, then, becomes the force that reveals to your conscious mind how well you’re aligned with the ideal you've set for yourself—whether in your thoughts, your everyday life, or your spiritual path.
You must seek with patience and accomplish through patience. Remember the scripture: “Whom the Lord loves, He disciplines.” If your life no longer requires patience, that’s a warning sign—you may have stepped off the spiritual path. You are no longer striving toward the Kingdom and no longer living as a child of light.
Therefore, in every action and experience, apply this test to yourself: Are you growing through patience? Are you still on the path? Are you proving yourself worthy to enter into the fullness of God’s kingdom?
262-26 Paraphrased
This reading presents patience as a core spiritual force, not just a virtue. Here’s what it’s saying:
Patience is active—it’s something you do and live, not just something you wait with.
It reveals your inner alignment with your spiritual values. If you're impatient, it's a sign you're not living fully in faith, love, or understanding.
All spiritual qualities (hope, faith, love, etc.) are expressed and tested through patience.
Whenever you're working toward any ideal—whether in your mind, your material life, or your spiritual path—patience is the tool that helps you measure your progress.
Growth requires challenges, and challenges require patience. If your life has no situations that require patience, you're likely no longer growing or walking the spiritual path.
So, ask yourself regularly: Am I using patience to grow in my ideals? Am I still striving toward the light?
Key Takeaway:
Patience is a spiritual measuring stick. It shows how closely your life matches your ideals. Without the need for patience, there's no spiritual growth. True patience is how you seek, how you endure, and how you become worthy of the Kingdom.
(Q) What does it mean in Romans 5:3 that “tribulation works patience”?
(A) As the scripture also says, “Whom the Lord loves, He corrects.” Every soul must go through a purifying process, because anything corrupted or impure cannot enter eternal life—it must be removed, refined, “burned away.”
God is like a refining fire—not to destroy, but to cleanse. And it’s through patience that you are able to endure and overcome these trials and come out spiritually stronger.
262-26 Paraphrased
This passage connects tribulation (suffering or hardship) with spiritual purification:
Tribulations (life’s trials) are not punishments but tools used by God to refine your soul.
Just as fire purifies metal, God uses hardship to remove what’s unworthy in us—ego, pride, fear, selfishness.
These challenges develop patience, which is the steady strength to endure and grow through the process.
Without this inner cleansing, no one can fully enter into eternal life or unity with God.
Patience is how you endure the process and how you truly become ready for higher spiritual understanding and experience.
Key Takeaway:
Tribulation brings patience because it refines the soul. Through hardship, God prepares you for eternal life. Patience is your strength in that refining process—it is how you endure, grow, and ultimately overcome.
INDIVIDUAL MESSAGES REPHRASED (FROM 262-26)
[115]
Let the same mindset be in you that was in Christ—one of patience. Through this, you’ll begin to understand how your soul connects to the divine, and how that spiritual energy can shape your physical life.
[404]
Keep your ideal firmly in front of you—in your personal relationships, at home, and in the world. Every challenge comes with a way through it, as long as your ideal remains aligned with God. If it doesn’t, your ideal needs to be lifted higher.
[341]
Patience helps you understand how your ideals relate to spiritual truth. Those who aren’t willing to be tested through patience aren’t ready for deeper trust. Just like a soldier counts the cost before battle, measure the cost of spiritual growth through your own patient experiences.
[288]
Don’t consider any day complete unless you've overcome something through patience. What you plant in patience, you will eventually harvest—and your true reward comes through God.
[307]
Growth happens day by day when you apply what you already know. As you continue, you’ll grow in grace, wisdom, and understanding. Patience gives you the strength to build that growth step by step. Every struggle overcome brings you more strength.
[2124]
Stay on the path that awakens your spiritual gifts. You've been given something sacred to care for. Ask yourself: What will you return to God for what He has entrusted to you?
[295]
Patience is what allows you to reflect God’s nature in how you relate to others. The Kingdom of God is within you—and through patience, you’ll come to understand how to live it out. Let everything you do reflect what God has shown you.
[303]
Be watchful. Don’t let yourself be overtaken by circumstances. Watch and pray. As you stay close to God, you’ll receive understanding about what you’re meant to do. You are one of His light-bearers.
[993]
You already know whom you believe in—God. Hold on to what He’s entrusted to you. Live in a way that reflects your trust and commitment.
[69]'s husband
Every day shows you God's love. Patience makes you more aware of that love and how it shapes your spiritual growth. As you live with hope, faith, charity, and love, your understanding and integrity also deepen.
[294]
Keep your heart open so that patience can do its work in you. Know that the reward—the crown—comes to the one who overcomes their own ego.
[560]
The path is in front of you. Stick to it patiently. Everything can be accomplished in the glory of God if you stay on His path. Follow it faithfully.
[379]
Your actions, grounded in your faith, are where patience expresses itself in your life. Trust that the answers to your problems are already found in Him.
[538]
Through patience and endurance, you receive joy, peace, and happiness from God's presence. That peace is His promise to those who carry their daily burdens with patience, just as Christ did.
[2125]
Hold onto your faith, and be patient in that faith. Patience is the test that reveals the strength and truth of all your spiritual qualities in this world.
[69]
Patience leads to deep peace and understanding of God’s presence. It’s not a passive quality—it’s an active spiritual force. Practicing patience allows you to truly know hope, faith, and God’s ways in this world.
[413]
With greater knowledge and power comes greater responsibility. Patience is where that responsibility is tested. Don’t be thrown off by hardships—or even pleasures—that distract you from God. Run life’s race patiently so that the joy at the end will be even greater.
[585]
As you live with patience, God's presence becomes more real in your life. This is what leads to the blessing of hearing “Well done.” The more you live with love, hope, charity, and patience, the more clearly you’ll see the path—and remember, He is your guide. “In patience, possess ye your soul.”
[462]
As you interact with others in your daily life, you can, with patience, come to a deeper understanding of God and His will. The challenges or burdens (the “crosses”) you carry are not punishments, but opportunities to grow in spiritual awareness.
Those who face no trials at all have, in a sense, stepped away from the path and are no longer actively growing as children of God.
It is through patience that you gain both the wisdom and the ability to apply it in your relationships with others.
Remember what Christ said: “All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth.” And through patience, you are promised:
“My presence will guide you, and My peace will be your reward.”
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