More Patience With Ourselves

I've been thinking lately about being patient with myself. It's hard to do--and I often want patience NOW, not on the Lord's timetable. I think we often hand out harsher judgments on ourselves than we do for others. Perhaps that is one of the hardest things in this life--self criticism. We often let go of the wrongs of others so much more easily, but hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard. Maybe it's just me.

I love this song by Michael McLean entitled, "Gentle." I first heard it when I was a freshman in college. We were having an activity and a singing/dancing group from the college performed many songs, including this one, but this is the only one that stuck with me.

"Gentle"
(Words and Music by Micheal McLean)

Like a gentle wind can blow the clouds from the sky,
Like a gentle touch can ease the pain of goodbye,
Like a gentle smile embraces empty souls in lonely places,
We should be more gentle with ourselves.

Like the friend who gently builds us up when we're down,
Like a gentle kiss can turn our world all around,
We've been hurt by others often,
We've forgiven and forgotten,
We should be more gentle with ourselves.

Life can be hard but
we need not be so hard
on ourselves,
If we will see

Like the Shepherd leads his flock with gentle commands.
With his gentle voice that only hearts understand.
One thing we can know for certain, He has borne the awful burdens
so we can be more gentle with ourselves.

One thing that I know for certain:
He will bear my every burden,
So I can be gentle with myself.

Christ's Atonement is for us. It is for our sins, but it is also for our healing. Jesus knows all of the pains we suffer, all of the trials we go through, all of our sadness, fears, hopelessness, despair....all of it. He felt it in Gethsemane, the pain of which caused him to bleed from every pore. He wants us to be patient, to be gentle, with ourselves and to use His Atonement as our healing balm. We shouldn't try to do it alone. 

I wrote this mainly for myself, but hopefully you will be personally touched as well. xo

© Wendy 2014