I have found that when my patience begins to fail (usually due to focusing on self, even subconsciously) that it begins a spiritual (sometimes physical as well) downward spiral where I get progressively more miserable, stubborn and dissatisfied with everything.
Before I started on what I believe to be a spiritual journey, well at least since I have become aware that this life is a spiritual journey experienced in the flesh, I was not one to be mired in anxiety over much of anything, my attitude often could be summed up in two words;
"Screw it."
Sometimes exclaimed more profanely...... Then I would move on and forget about it, at least until I was forced to deal with the situation (or ramifications) at some future point in time, now that "luxury" has been taken away, when selfish or impatient thoughts (even only thoughts) begin to occupy my mind and I do not immediately beg for His Spirit to strengthen me a lot of old temptations also begin to spring back to life, guilt and confusion reign, it is a horrible place to be.
I was reading James Chapter 3 when a few verses popped up and grabbed my attention, it seemed that James was speaking of this very thing.
James 3
13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (Every evil work!)
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Which brought this to mind;
Luk 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
Luk 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
Luk 11:26 Then goeth he and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Ever notice this in your own walk?
Peace,
Joe