A Little More Patience and Humility, Please!

Our quest for faster service makes us more impatient and demanding. That's the conclusion of a recent series of experiments about fast food. Three experiments with college students were conducted. In the first experiment, researchers flashed ever so briefly (below conscious thresholds) on a computer screen the logos of well-known fast food franchises ((McDonald's, KFC, Subway, Taco Bell, Burger King, and Wendy's) while research participants worked on another task.

A comparison group did the same task without the fast food logos appearing. Then all participants were asked to read a brief passage. Although there was no time pressure or time limit mentioned, the "fast food" participants read more quickly.

In the second experiment, participants were asked to remember either the last time they ate fast food or the last time they went grocery shopping, then all completed an ostensibly unrelated marketing survey. Exposure to fast food reminders led participants to express a preference for time-saving products.

And in the third experiment, participants were asked to rate the aesthetic appeal of different corporate logos, some of fast food franchises and some not. Exposure to fast food reminders reduced the willingness of participants to delay gratification at a later task.


As W. H. Auden wrote, "Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin: impatience - Because of impatience we were driven out of Paradise, because of impatience we cannot return." The results led the researchers to ask, "What's the point of saving time if we don't use it to savor what makes life worth living?" -thanks to Psychology Today, April 13, 2010-

While we’re on the subject of patience, do you remember Job? He was the Arabian patriarch; who while living in the middle of great prosperity was suddenly overcome by a series of painful trials. As terrible as all of this was on him, his faith never wavered. He kept up his integrity and was eventually rewarded by God who blessed him with even greater prosperity than he enjoyed before; living a long good life after. (James 5:11)

That sounds amazing in itself, but here’s the kicker. Job survived the period of trial for one hundred and forty years! In today’s fast-paced, immediate-gratification, its-all-about-me world, this would not be acceptable to most of us. Can you imagine if any of us were in Job’s position today? Would we be able keep it together that long? Yep, that's what I thought.

A little bit of humility added to the mix wouldn’t be such a bad thing, either. Humility, as used here, is a Christian grace that is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1Peter 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquility, (Psalm 69:32), (Psalm 69:33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22).

Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). I know that’s a hard act to follow for sure, but it gives us all something to shoot for, doesn’t it? And I don’t know about you, but I could sure use some more practice with patience and humility!

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father, Praise be given to Your Holy name for Your forbearance and mercy. You have dealt gently with Your children in love. You have been patient with me in my humanness and stubbornness.
Lord, through the work of Your Spirit, prompt me to be more jubilant in hope, more patient in times of trouble, and more consistent in my prayer life.
Teach me, Lord, to wait with faith and expectancy, and may my trials be seen as times for growth in grace. Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.

Love and peace always,

Maryann