Patience is a Virtue
by Mike James
The Bible has a lot of positive things to say about patience. So does the world, as the title of this article mentions. A virtue is right or moral behavior, so I think it is important for us to develop our patience. One definition of patience is the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed. Wow! Sounds like a tough assignment, but let's get a little deeper with patience.
Romans 12:12 reads, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (NIV). Sometimes, being patient will include dealing with afflictions or being upset. In those types of troubled times, we will need to pray. The longer you are in those situations, the more hope will be developed. Troubling times in my life have prepared me for troubling times in the future. Knowing you have moved through trouble once makes your hope to overcome future trouble easier to handle.
These are our opportunities to rely solely on God rather than our own devices. Sometimes, the trouble brings us closer to God. Trouble can also humble us, and God speaks over and over in His Word about the importance of humility. When we humble ourselves and realize how small we are, it helps us realize how large God is.
Romans 5:3-4 reads, "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (NIV). Perseverance or patience also helps us develop character. Character is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. So how does patience develop our character? Let me give you a personal example.
My eighty-seven-year-old mother lives with me and my family. I recently became a little frustrated with her advanced age because she kept forgetting what I had just told her. Being human, I got a bit frustrated because I had to keep repeating myself. And this was my mom, who used to take care of me. I never really thought the roles would be reversed someday, but they are. There is a change now in the relationship, and I need to act accordingly. Change is always hard, but I am learning to be as patient with my mother as she once was with me. Character development only comes after we have been through these types of experiences a few times. It takes several similar experiences for things to sink in.
The discomfort of patience helps us learn the lessons. One thing I learned after being an instructor for several years was that we learn much better after making mistakes. Mistakes register in our memories better because there is a bit of an emotional reaction. If you can impact emotions, you will have a better chance of remembering the experience. God, the Author of our mind and brain, is aware of this.
Another important scripture on patience is 1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud" (NIV). Notice which word comes first in this definition of love. Remember, love is a choice, as is patience. Think about praying for someone or for your own issues and having to wait for an answer from God. As Tom Petty used to sing, "The waiting is the hardest part." But when a response finally comes from God, you are growing your hope muscle. Finally, getting an answer helps you build that endurance for the next go around.
In my role as an elder, I often receive feedback on sermons, articles, or our Prove All Things podcast. The first few times I received some negative feedback, it was not as easy to deal with as it is now. Patience must be developed like so many other positive characteristics. It is a process. That's just how it works.
Finally, meditation can help in building that patience muscle. Think about what frustrates you and why. Meditate on those situations and see yourself reacting differently. The more you think about the situations the more you prepare yourself for the real thing. Developing that spiritual muscle with God's Spirit will help make a difference. You can do it with God's help. During the upcoming holyday season, prepare yourself to be more patient.
Source: "The Practice of Patience: Growing in the Waiting," Navigators Discipleship Tool, navlink.org/practicing-patience