Love is…..Patient and the definition of patience means “waiting without complaint”.
From waiting to be old enough to do something or go somewhere, waiting for a promotion, patiently working to gain an education or learning new skills, taking the time to save financially, waiting to meet your partner, waiting for a child to be born, waiting for the right time, the right place and the right “God moment”. There are many times when we have the opportunity to exercise patience.
We are also often required to display patience when relating to others. Without patience, we can treat people too harshly, give up on relationships, consider letting go of our hopes and dreams, easily get into doubt, have bad attitudes towards others and impatiently complain.
Here are some keys to help you grow to be more patient
Identify the issue
When you’re in an irritating situation and feeling impatient, think about why it bothers you to wait.
Once you've identified the reason, seek to look at it another way and use your time while waiting to do something constructive.
Eliminate Fear
The root of our impatience is, more often than not, fear. Fear that God doesn’t care or even sees us, that things won’t work out, that we will fail or be left alone, that people will harm us, so we need to be in control, and that our dreams and prayers won’t eventuate.
When we allow fear to dictate our emotions and thoughts, we can easily grow impatient because we start to believe the worst and the negative. Meditating on what and who Jesus is and says about you will help build your faith and understanding that you are loved.
Slow down
Are you being too rigid and putting unnecessary pressure on yourself and others? If you’re feeling rushed, take more time to complete tasks and remember to breathe and have a realistic schedule.
Practice acceptance
Sometimes we can’t change a situation right now and need to leave it in God’s hands for him to deal with in his time. Once you choose to leave things in God’s hands, it helps to be more patient.
Show gratitude
Next time you’re frustrated and impatient, consider ten things you are grateful for. This will help calm you down, redirect your focus and give you a better attitude in life and some perspective on what or who you are waiting on.
Draw near to Jesus
You become like the ones you are around, so draw near to Jesus and allow his character to change your impatience into kindness, love and patience.
The more we know, spend time with Him, and meditate on His word, the more faith we have. The more faith we have, the more we trust Him and the more patient we become. Patience is one of the offshoots, or the bible calls it, the fruit of growing a healthy relationship with Jesus.
The Bible talks about patience and our faith working together. We can set out believing in God for that great job, partner, holiday, new baby, or just a parking spot on a hectic day at the shops. But unless we exercise patience – “waiting without complaint”, then our faith often won’t work. We undo our prayers and believe by our negative, impatient words of complaint. It’s by faith and patience working together that we receive.
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”(Hebrews 6:12)
“Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Today, if you are struggling with impatience and all the character issues that go along with that, I encourage you to look at why, to slow down, practice acceptance and gratitude, spend some time with Jesus, and allow His love and kindness to change your heart and attitude.
If you continue to take the time every day to do that, you’ll soon discover that the fruit of patience will have started to grow in your life, and you’ll be able to “wait patiently without complaining.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for having a plan and purpose for all my life. Help me to keep trusting you for the best in my life and to be kinder and more patient with those around me. Please help me not give up because it may take longer than I would like, and to wait patiently, trusting that you have it all under control. In Jesus Name, Amen.