“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly”.  (Proverbs 14:29, ESV)

     Slowpoke. It’s the name my mother assigned me when I dawdled. When Mom called your name, she expected a swift response.

     In 2021, the South Carolina senate passed the “Slowpoke Bill.” The law requires drivers in the left-hand land to yield when another vehicle moves in behind them. A new bill presently is pending that will increase the fines for violators up to $100. So much for the idea that life moves more slowly in the South.

      Patience is a virtue as the saying goes. Paul asserts that patience develops within us as a result of God’s Spirit working in one’s life. Patience and its counterpart are telling qualities of one’s character.

     People who consistently practice patience are viewed more positively by their peers. Conversely, those who repeatedly exude impatience are considered as arrogant, insensitive, and rude. Persons who interrupt others, display poor people skills, make snap judgments, or exhibit a bad temper are avoided by coworkers, neighbors, and family members alike. Jewish wisdom considers such individuals to be foolish.

     However, patience is as much a skill as it is a virtue. Patience is not only a quality God grants us it is a faculty that can be learned. One of the strategies found to be helpful is the practice of slowing down.

     Too many of us live at a fast pace, making patience difficult. Stress is prone to increase as our pace quickens. Interestingly, studies have demonstrated that larger animals like elephants, giraffes, and gorillas deliberately slow themselves down in order to allow their nerves to catch up.

     Taking slow breaths, taking a break, or relaxing one’s muscles serve to dissipate adrenaline (a stress hormone) and increase endorphins (the calming chemical). Likewise, taking a brief reprieve from activity grants us a greater understanding of the frustrating situation in which we find ourselves.

     Therefore, the next time you find yourself behind a slowpoke hogging the fast lane, ease up on the accelerator. Enjoy the leisurely pace. Take in the view of God’s creation.

But if you find yourself driving through South Carolina, just remember to scootch over‒‒ever so slowly.