Patience, Anyone?

For this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

1 Timothy 1:16

You’ve probably heard the great American prayer: “God give me patience, and I want it now!” We are constantly being reminded that everything can be done in a hurry, yet God says He wants to teach us to wait.

God wants to develop within us a quality of being patient and longsuffering. Someone has defined longsuffering as a long holding out of the mind before it gives way to action or passion. It is the power to see things through.

If there is any quality we need in our lives today, it is patience. It is the hardest of all the qualities for us to learn today because we think everything has to be done quickly. But it is the virtue I believe is closest to the heart of God. God is a God of longsuffering, patience, and forbearance.

A person who has the fruit of longsuffering is patient with people who nag. He or she does not criticize and irritate when criticized and irritated. This person does not disappear when frustrated or angered. Longsuffering knows how to sit still and wait its turn. It is slow to retaliate and does not seek to get even. It waits patiently with joy.