The definition of PATIENCE is to endure discomfort without complaining. The spiritual meaning of PATIENCE is very similar. Patience in the Bible is the ability to endure difficult people and situations without giving into anger or giving up hope. Patience is tied to your level of FAITH. If you have strong faith in God and what He can and will do in your life, you can have more patience because you already know He is going to come through for you.
A couple of individuals in the Bible, whom if they were alive, could testify to that. One person is Job. Over a period of time, he lost possessions, children, his health and he still refused to curse God, after his friends encouraged him to. Instead, he prayed for his friends and God then restored Job’s possessions and gave him twice what he had before (Job 42:10).
Another example is Abraham. When he was around 75 years old, God promised him that he would have a child. But Abraham didn’t see that promise fulfilled until he was 100 years old (Gen 21:5).
Do you have the patience of Job or the patience of Abraham? I know having patience can be a little challenging at times so here are some suggestions:
1. Practice acceptance. Some things are out of your control. Learn to turn those things over to God and wait patiently for Him to works those things out. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Now, that doesn’t mean you should just sit around and do nothing when something is going on in your life that is making you uncomfortable. Do something, but know that God is the “heavy lifter” and He will take care of the rest. Be patient until He does.
2. Slow down….you may be moving too fast! Things are not going to happen until God wants them to happen, so you are going to have to be patient and wait for His plan to roll out.
3. Improve your listening skills. Listening will help you to improve your level of patience. Talk less and listen more. Patience helps us to develop healthy attitudes. It improves our abilities to handle setbacks, and to know that those setbacks are a set up for the comeback God has in store for you!
With Agape Love,
Wilile Mae