Patience does not abandon anyone in any distress. It waits even if we push it away. For patience is ultimately based in the character of God in eternity. Let patience create eternity in our temporality, peace in our problems, tranquility in our troubles.

Our guest today is Soren himself! Rather than blather on about it, give it a listen!

How is it that Impatience is both cold and a fire? Those two things are never paired together. Soren employs this dichotomy to tell us that Impatience will leave us alienated and alone and yet still burn without ceasing. It sounds like Hell itself. The worst possible condition. Seek out Patience. For she is a faithful friend.

When we lose patience, fail to find and preserve it, our souls get bruised and eventually broken. We find ourselves discontent and with others who are discontent. The Council of the Mockers. The Jaded. The Cynical. Take time, make time, for God. For he is our resting place.

“The soul that has the courage to give up everything else…and when the soul does not believingly aspire to the eternal, does not hopefully hurry toward the future, is not lovingly in understanding with God and human beings, it is lost. On the contrary, if it announces itself in this powerful presence, then the single individual has indeed saved his soul.” (p. 193, 18 Upbuilding Discourses).

When we have the soul patience and trust that God is working in us and through us for our and others’ good and His glory, then we can lay aside impatience and be at peace with our past, calm in the present, and tranquil about the future. We trust he is making our souls better. And not bitter. Ephesians 4:31-32. That is a solid thought for 2024! * A reminder that Bierkergaard is on Instagram and X. Join me!

By pleasure, Soren means the pursuit of things of this world without eternity in mind and lacking the patience in our souls. Make space for the eternal. Therefore, we won’t “Slave in worry’s deliberation.” Trust God. Take time, for we have eternity.

In losing our soul, it is us that does it. No one else has that power and authority. We trade our souls to gain the world. And in death, have lost both our souls and the world. * I use the word “We” as admission that no one is safe from making this transaction with eternal consequences. ** I am also working on being more patient behind the wheel and just enjoying the drive despite the chaos. Happy Holidays!

We gain our soul by surrender. We preserve our soul likewise by surrender. To God. Refusing to allow the world to cross the walls of our soul and fill it inordinately with the cares and frustrations of this life.

The world says if you want something, go after it. Be strong and take it. In matters of the soul, we gain by losing. A letting go versus a taking up. Surrender to God is victory. Lose oneself to gain oneself.