When everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate. The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated—when another car cuts us off in traffic; when we are treated unfairly; when our coworker makes another unappreciated comment.
Some people think they have a right to get upset in the face of irritations and trials. Impatience seems like a holy anger. The Bible, however, praises patience as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) which should be produced for all followers of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Patience reveals our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence, and love.
These days it can be hard to be a patient, but it is so important to remember that we are called to be patient in all situations.
Patience is a Choice
All over the Bible there are stories of men and women experiencing trials and struggles. Their reactions, however, vary.
Some grumbled against God, others worshipped God in trials and hardship, and others cried out to God in despair. What is important to note is that we all have a choice; we get to decide how we are going to act when we are faced with adversity.
It’s simple, we can be patient and wait on God, or we can be impatient and act on our own accord.
Patience Draws us Closer to God
As believers, when we go through times of grief, agony, despair and all other kinds of hardship. If we choose to be patient, we will naturally draw towards God through prayer and worship.
Patience means that we are going to wait and rely on God’s timing. When we rely on God’s timing, we can focus directly on Him and spend quality time with Him.
When you learn to fully trust in God, patience may not necessarily get easier, but you can bet that your relationship with the Father will grow stronger.
Developing Patience Takes Practice
Patience does not develop overnight, and it is God’s power and goodness that are crucial to the development of patience.
Colossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by Him to “great endurance and patience,” while James 1:3-4 encourages us to know that trials are His way of perfecting our patience.
Our patience is further developed and strengthened by resting in God’s perfect will and timing, even in the face of evil men who “succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7).
At the end of the day, patience is rewarded. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” (Lamentations 3:25).
Learn to develop patience in all aspects of your life and experience a closer relationship with God as well as a more peaceful heart.
