Briefing: Certain jobs in law enforcement take more patience than others. Have you ever considered being a field training officer? How about a SWAT team sniper?

Dispatch (Assignment): The level of patience we have for something seems to mirror the level of importance we give to that something. Make of list of people, places and things for which you have the most, and least patience.

On the Street: Have you ever heard the saying, "We live in a microwaveable society"? It's true, we want everything right now. Patience is becoming a lost art. I remember a day when you went to the movies, watched it, and soaked it in, knowing that unless you paid to see it again, your only hope of ever seeing it would be years later, if one of the networks showed it on TV. Now you can go see a movie and three months later, own your own copy to watch whenever you want.

Our society is constantly inventing ways to save time. My current cell phone can get messages, search the internet, play games, oh and make phone calls. All of these features happened in milliseconds, but next month I'll have to trade it in for a new one that is faster. Really?

I am constantly reading articles that say our society is busier now than ever. What happened to all the inventions that were meant to save us time? Now we have time to be even more productive.

Patience is a virtue. It is also a fruit of the Spirit and a Biblical principle.

Proverbs 16:32 (NIV), "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city."

Proverbs 19:2 (NIV), "Desire without knowledge is not good; how much more will hasty feet miss the way!"

Proverbs 19:11 (NIV), "A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense."

Proverbs 20:25 (NIV), "It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows."

Proverbs 24:10 (NIV), "If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!"

Proverbs 25:15 (NIV), "Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone."

Investigational Resources: The Bible, it is a big book, one that will require patience and endurance.

Officer Safety Principle: If patience is a Biblical principle, would it not make sense that we should strive to gain more and demonstrate it in our lives?

from The Book of Proverbs Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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