How to Bless Your Day with Increased Patience

Sharing is caring!

I don’t like to wait and I really don’t like to be late.

Maybe you can relate.

Waiting messes with plans and ruins schedules.

And most of us are scheduled. Too much to do in too little time.

That’s life.

Busy.

I was all set to start a post the other morning when our internet went down.

Seriously.

I had things to do and almost all of them were online.

I could feel my anxiety level rise and my patience head straight out the door.

Can you relate?

How do you know you’re impatient?

You will probably experience one of more of the following symptoms:

• Shallow breathing (short breaths).
• Muscle tension.
• Hand clenching/tightening.
• Jiggling/restless feet.
• Irritability/anger.
• Anxiety/nervousness.
• Rushing.
• Snap/quick decisions. (MindTools.com)

What destroys your patience?

Bickering kiddos? Dawdling drivers? People who show up late for appointments or don’t show up at all? Loooong checkout lines? Appliances that break and interfere with your routine? People who can’t make up their minds?

Anything you’d add?

You and I sacrifice our joy on the altar of impatience.

We know God wants us to be patient.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2

And the Holy Spirit can make it possible.

 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22–23

But if you’ve prayed for patience . . . you know it doesn’t magically appear. Patience is a practiced skill. A desire for more patience comes with increased opportunities to practice patience.

Remember—“Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, difficulty, or annoyance without getting angry or upset.”

How to Bless Your Day with Increased Patience

1. Identify your triggers.
2. Plan ways to react and things to do in advance.
3. Stop thinking about how things “should” be.
4. Breathe and stay positive.
5. Always allow 10 extra minutes.
6. Make prayer and stillness a priority.
7. Reward yourself when you succeed.
8. Accept what you can’t control.
9. Think about the impact your impatience has on others.
10. Remember the person annoying you may be facing a crisis.
11. Give up your idea of perfect.
12. Try to find the humor in it.

Bonus – Remember the benefits of patience.

Patience will:

• make you happier.
• improve your health.
• develop your character.
• help you make better decisions.
• make you more successful.
• give you more self-confidence.
• improve your relationships.

Finally, give yourself grace. If you are a person prone to impatience you’re not going to get it right overnight. So, celebrate every success and make up your mind to try to do better tomorrow.

Impatience is a habit, and habits can be changed. You are not doomed to impatience forever. Decide that with God’s help today is the day you will start practicing patience and if this day doesn’t go well—you will practice patience again tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that.

Quotes to Inspire

May the patience and encouragement that come from God allow you to live in harmony with each other the way Christ Jesus wants. Romans 15:5

“Humility and patience are the surest proofs of the increase of love.” John Wesley

“Our patience is demonstrated most clearly when we settle ourselves and focus on what we can do while we wait.” Crystal McDowell

Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city. Proverbs 16:32

“Hurrying increases the risk of errors and accidents, which can end up costing more time than the rush saved.” ~M. J. Ryan, The Power of Patience

“Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work.” ~Peter Marshall

Patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. Romans 5:4–5

What’s your favorite tip for practicing patience?

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…

Sharing is caring!