How to Bless Your Day with Increased Patience

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I don't like to wait and I really don't like to be late. Are you impatient? Here are some tips and benefits to living each day with increased patience.

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.”

I don't like to wait and I really don't like to be late. Are you impatient? Here are some tips and benefits to living each day with increased patience.

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.

I don't like to wait and I really don't like to be late. Are you impatient? Here are some tips and benefits to living each day with increased patience.

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?

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15 Comments

  1. Patience. That can be hard. Especially when you think the answer to a prayer is coming and then there is another delay or maybe even a different answer altogether. All I can do is draw closer to the Lord, reading His Word, and writing down my prayers.

    Thank you for the link up Deb. It has been awhile since I’ve linked so I’m very happy to join you today.

    Blessings friend,
    Patti

  2. I recall years ago sharing with a church friend that I was praying for patience (my kids were young!) and she looked so shocked. “Don’t do that!” she said. “When you pray for patience, God will send trials to teach it to you the hard way.”
    The hard way . . . isn’t that where we need to practice patience the most? Where we learn the best? I think so!
    Blessings, Deb, and have a great weekend!

  3. Hi Deb, thanks for sharing your wisdom here! Patience is not easy but it is a virtue that turns things around.
    I pinned this up!
    Great job friend.
    God Bless

  4. Ooo this post was for me!! I never thought about planning out ahead of time how I would react to: someone being late, husband walking slower than I do, co-worker not getting back to my email, etc etc…but I love that! I think that will really help me not react in the moment to have a plan. Thanks!

  5. This is great, Deb. I love your definition of patience–right on. Some day I do alright with interruptions … but it is not the rule of my life, sadly. But I love your list of how to bless our days with patience … great things to remember.

  6. Awesome tips on dealing with impatience!
    I need to bookmark, highlight, and circle this post!

  7. God is constantly working with me on this, but I love it! The more patient I become, the more beautiful life becomes! Happy Friday Deb and thanks for hosting the linkup! <3

  8. I know I could tell you that these last few years have built a strong sense of patience in me, however, just as soon as I say that, I know I will fall short! lol! So, I guess it is safe to say, I am so thankful I am not where I was, but I am still not where I need to be when it comes to patience! 🙂

    Thank you so much, Deb, for featuring Terri’s post. Her story of finding her something better by leaving the lies of shame behind is so powerful!

    Blessings, my friend!
    Lori

  9. Carrie Shane says:

    Thank you for sharing this. Patience….I am grateful that He is always patient. God is always working on me in this area. I love the list you gave on how to bless your day with increased patience. I will be hanging that on my mirror to see in the mornings. Thank you!

  10. Isabelle Petit says:

    Hello Deb! Be blessed for letting God inspire your postings! This one was definitely for me. I needed to read this big time.With love, Isabelle.

  11. Very insightful post. Especially this truth: You and I sacrifice our joy on the altar of impatience.
    OUCH! But it is so true. As I look through the Bible, I never find a time when Jesus was impatient or in a hurry.
    Thanks for listing the steps we can take to bless our day with increased patience.
    Blessings to you.

  12. Michele Ellison says:

    Patience is definitely a struggle for me, and something I know I need, but I have never really considered the benefits and blessings it brings so thank you for this new perspective and encouragement. Health, self-confidence, character…the whole list was so encouraging to me and helps me remember why patience is so important! Thank you!

  13. Karen Grosz says:

    Thanks for sharing this recipe on Let’s Get Real Link Up. Patience is definitely something that needs to be practiced with the help of God’s grace, a serenity and peace can develop. I am so much more patient than I used to be, but still need to give it to God. I find that when I don’t get my sleep, then I am less able to be at peace and therefore be patient.

  14. I love that you suggested that we allow ourselves 10 extra minutes. That really alleviates much of the stress. Great tip!