by Rachel
Patience: “The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset”
Patience is a word that I constantly struggle with. It seems that whenever I think about something that I really want, I want it now. Or when I expect something of someone, and they don’t act as quickly as I would like, I get frustrated. It is so hard to tolerate daily inconveniences with patience. However, The Lord wants us to be patient. I find this ironic because sometimes God is the one I get the most impatient with. I find myself questioning why He isn’t answering my prayer promptly and when I want Him to. I find myself doubting that He will give me what I want, when I want it. It is so hard to be patient, especially when it comes to God.
I find such peace in knowing that God has a plan for me, and for everyone. Yet I still find myself doubting this plan and wanting to recreate it in a way that accommodates my fleshly desires. Lately, however, I have come to see that waiting on the Lord and trusting in His plan is so important. The days when I let go of my impatience, and instead trust that God will provide what I truly need, even if that isn’t always what I want, are the days that I feel the freest and happiest. There is such joy in trusting in God instead of trying to only trust in ourselves, because we can’t provide for ourselves in the way that the Lord can.
Although patience isn’t an easy concept to apply in everyday life, I want to encourage anyone reading this to strive to not only have patience in God’s plan, but in everyday situations. Whether that is having patience with the kid that drives you crazy in class, or the friend that is always in a bad mood, or maybe even a parent that isn’t being understanding; have patience.
Here are some scriptures that touch on the concept of patience:
Whether it is daily life, or with waiting on the Lord, have patience. It is through patience that we can grow as individuals, and as followers of Christ.
Patience is a word that I constantly struggle with. It seems that whenever I think about something that I really want, I want it now. Or when I expect something of someone, and they don’t act as quickly as I would like, I get frustrated. It is so hard to tolerate daily inconveniences with patience. However, The Lord wants us to be patient. I find this ironic because sometimes God is the one I get the most impatient with. I find myself questioning why He isn’t answering my prayer promptly and when I want Him to. I find myself doubting that He will give me what I want, when I want it. It is so hard to be patient, especially when it comes to God.
I find such peace in knowing that God has a plan for me, and for everyone. Yet I still find myself doubting this plan and wanting to recreate it in a way that accommodates my fleshly desires. Lately, however, I have come to see that waiting on the Lord and trusting in His plan is so important. The days when I let go of my impatience, and instead trust that God will provide what I truly need, even if that isn’t always what I want, are the days that I feel the freest and happiest. There is such joy in trusting in God instead of trying to only trust in ourselves, because we can’t provide for ourselves in the way that the Lord can.
Although patience isn’t an easy concept to apply in everyday life, I want to encourage anyone reading this to strive to not only have patience in God’s plan, but in everyday situations. Whether that is having patience with the kid that drives you crazy in class, or the friend that is always in a bad mood, or maybe even a parent that isn’t being understanding; have patience.
Here are some scriptures that touch on the concept of patience:
- Psalms 37:7: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud”
- Colossians 1:11: “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience”
Whether it is daily life, or with waiting on the Lord, have patience. It is through patience that we can grow as individuals, and as followers of Christ.