Developing Patience

The word Patience is mentioned 34 times in the Bible, this does not include entries with the word Patient though!

The meaning of the word Patient or Patience generally means one of these:
to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart
to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles
to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others
to be mild and slow in avenging
to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish
constancy, endurance
steadfast waiting for
a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
endurance, constancy,
forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs


I can honestly say that I am a more patient person now than I once was. But I still have very far to go! I know many other people who are way more patient than I am. The Lord taught me the most about patience through teaching my siblings and just generally being around my siblings. I used to get so frustrated (and I occasionally do still) when they were not understanding something, doing something, or not behaving as I thought they should. But God reminded me that He has been patient with me and expects me to be patient with others.
1Thessalonians 5:14 says to . . . be patient toward all men.


Patience is a virtue that requires much practice and the desire to acquire it along with daily prayer. I believe the Lord gives us many ways to practice patience daily. Think about your attitude and response when you are hot or tired and something or someone is being trying and things just aren't going well. I have the terrible habit of sort of holding it all in and then finally just blowing off all the steam which often means I say some things that are not very nice or thoughtful.
Romans 5: 3-5 is an excellent passage that says:
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Our tribulations are actually for our own good, God has allowed them to help us grow! They are working patience within us. A true story character this reminds me of is Katura in the book Princess in Calico* . She was a young girl who faced many hard things in life and seemingly much drudgery. But through victory in Christ and the tribulations she went through she developed such patience! She was a great witness to her family as she cared for them daily.

To me patience and waiting seem to almost always go hand in hand. Sound familiar? Lately, the Lord has been teaching me patience as I wait for:

* His will for my life. While the present is somewhat clear, the future is cloudy and I am one of those types of people that has a hard time not knowing what is around the next bend!

* Trying to find a car to purchase. I along with 2 of my siblings have been looking for over 2 months now trying to find a car that fits our budget and specifications. It has been a frustrating process to say the least but I know that the Lord cares about us even in smaller matters and He will provide.

* Last, but not least, is the continued patience I need to have as I wait on the Lord for the special one He has for me. Getting older (and some of you may chuckle because I am *only* 22) has made me at times almost desperate to find the one and to be married. But I know this attitude is not right. The Lord knows and His timing is perfect. I may never understand His ways completely, but His plan for me is to be patient and trust in Him.

Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.