“Mommy is breakfast ready yet?” “Mommy are we there yet?” “Mommy when is it going to be time to….”
Patience. A word we hear from the time we’re old enough to understand it, until our dying day. We learn about it in cute songs like “Have Patience.” We memorize the fruit of the spirit passage in Galatians 5:22-23. Children are constantly being reminded to have patience as they grow and go through their everyday lives. As a mother I constantly am praying and asking God to help me show this fruit more. Patience. One simple word and yet it can be so hard to gain.
What is Patience?
Patience is the capacity to endure delays, suffering, or annoyance without complaining or becoming angry. In Proverbs 19:11, the Bible tells us, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is one’s glory to overlook an offense.” (NIV) In Proverbs 14:29, it also tells us that if we have patience we have great understanding, but if we’re quick tempered (the exact opposite of patient) we display folly. This makes me think of the song “Everlasting God” https://youtu.be/JSHRThrP1O0?si=vYjuR-nT3GAjlflz by Chris Tomlin. If we put our total trust and faith in Him and we WAIT for His perfect timing, our strength will rise as we WAIT upon the Lord!
What does patience look like?
We have the most perfect example of patience in the scripture and it’s found in Jesus Christ. In Philippians 2:6-8, we see that Jesus emptied himself and made himself nothing. He became human. And because of that Jesus endured all the same emotions we experience every day. He would’e had to work at being patient. Now unlike us, Jesus is perfect and so he showed patience perfectly. He demonstrated that with his patience towards his earthly family, those who rejected him, his disciples, and everyone he interacted with. He remained patient in all his suffering he endured as he went to the cross for MY sin. For YOUR sin. Perfectly patient through it all as he suffered for things he never did. What a wonderful savior!
I believe the Bible sums up the importance of patience better than I ever could in Colossians 3:12-13.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (NIV)
What a timely message. Thank you for helping with clear words and gentle lessons.
Sarah, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on patience. We definitely want to have patience. So pleased that you are writing for the blog. Love you!
Very well said, Sarah.
This is something I need to be reminded about from time to time. And I am glad you are sharing your thoughts and heart here.