Reliable Reasons It’s Important to Be Patient
Are you patient? What do you do when you need to be patient?
How about in traffic? With your kids? When you’re waiting in line or for an appointment?
If you’re like me, it depends on the circumstances or your mood.
I know if I’m tired or not feeling well, running late, or it’s the fifteenth thing that has gone wrong that day … if someone has gotten on my last nerve, the wait seems exceptionally long, or I’m the recipient of an often-repeated offense, I can easily give in to unpleasant impatience.
C. S. Lewis once said, “Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment.
It’s so true.
I know I can be annoying at times. I’ve occasionally wondered why the Lord chooses to be patient with me. Especially when I’m self-absorbed and my attitude stinks, or when I repeat the same sins again and again.
Paul wrote to Timothy…
God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16
And Peter wrote…
Remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.
2 Peter 3:15
God is patient! It is part of His character.
His patience is not in enduring long waits or difficult circumstances. God knows the beginning from the end. He knows how everything turns out, so He doesn’t need situational patience.
The Lord is patient with people because He loves them perfectly and completely. He is patient, loving, and kind. Always!
From Genesis to Revelation and still today … God loves people, and one of the ways He shows that love is through His patience.
The Lord passed in front of Moses and said, “I am the Lord. The Lord is a God who shows mercy, who is kind, who doesn’t become angry quickly, who has great love and faithfulness, and is kind to thousands of people.”
Exodus 34:6–7
There is no God like You. You forgive those who are guilty of sin;
Micah 7:18–19
You don’t look at the sins of Your people who are left alive.
You will not stay angry forever because You enjoy being kind.
You will have mercy on us again; You will conquer our sins.
You will throw away all our sins into the deepest part of the sea.
Recently, I asked the Lord, “Why are you patient with me?”
And my heart heard Him say, “Because I love you! And I want an unending relationship with you through my Son, Jesus.”
Jesus gave His life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
Galatians 1:4
God is patient with sinners because God is love (1 John 4:8) and love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
God is patient because…
- He wants all people to come to Him through His Son, Jesus.
- All people like you and me. People of every nationality.
- People from every corner of the world.
- Proud people.
- Humble people.
- Hurting people.
- Successful people.
- Broken people.
- Church people.
- Non-church people.
All people.
So, like the Prodigal Father, God is patiently loving as He waits and watches for His children to return home in repentance through faith in Jesus.
The Lord is not slow in doing what He promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but He wants all people to change their hearts and lives.
2 Peter 3:8–9
Human patience does not come naturally. It is something given to us by God as He molds us and makes us more like Jesus.
Patience is one of the ways God shows us His love, and He wants us to be patient to show His love to one another.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer for God’s Help to Be Patient
Oh Father, I want to be patient. I get up each morning determined that today will be the day I will show kindness and love, no matter what is going on around me. Sadly, I often fail before breakfast. Please forgive me.
You are patient and loving always. Your Word is full of promises that tell us Your patience is one of the many ways You show us Your love. It tells us that Jesus hasn’t returned to judge the world, because You are giving more time for people to come to KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE You through faith in His LIFE, DEATH, and RESURRECTION.
It says… “God our Savior wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3b–4)
I thank and praise You with all my heart! It is all because of Your patient love and the gift of Jesus, who showed us Your extraordinary love, that I am declared Your child.
I surrender my foolish and selfish impatience to You. Through the power of Your Spirit, please make me more like Jesus. Help me pause to pray before I respond with irritation and anger. May I lead with love graciously and mercifully, remembering that I have no idea what others are dealing with emotionally, mentally, and physically.
I give myself to You, my loving Lord and Savior. Give me what I need to be patient. Amen.
I used to joke that I would no longer pray for patience because God never gave it miraculously; He just gave me more opportunities to be patient. And I typically failed.
But I’ve determined that it’s time to surrender my impatience to the Lord, while staying focused on and overwhelmed by His gracious, patient love.
Paul wrote…
May the Lord lead your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s patience.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
I want that! So, I will pray daily, trusting that with the help of the Holy Spirit, it will become my heart’s desire to let God patiently love people through me. Care to join me?
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…
I will happily join you in this endeavor, Deb! I’m so grateful that God is patient with me, and with His help, we can all learn to be patient with one another. Blessings always!
Absolutely! I will join you in this quest! Patience is something I have to work on daily. You know, I expect people to be patient with me, so, I know that I need to return this favor. God is patient and kind and loving. We can count on that. I am grateful for His patience with me and also for the numerous times in my life when others have been patient with me. Thank you for this reminder. You are a dear, wise lady and friend.