The Importance of Patience

According to a traditional Hebrew story, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one evening when he saw an old man, weary from age and journey, coming toward him. Abraham rushed out, greeted him, and then invited him into his tent. There he washed the old man's feet and gave him food and drink.

The old man immediately began eating without saying any prayer or blessing. So Abraham asked him, "Don't you worship God?"

The old traveler replied, "I worship fire only and reverence no other god."

When he heard this, Abraham became incensed, grabbed the old man by the shoulders, and threw him out his his tent into the cold night air.

When the old man had departed, God called to his friend Abraham and asked where the stranger was. Abraham replied, "I forced him out because he did not worship you."

God answered, "I have suffered him these eighty years although he dishonors me. Could you not endure him one night?"     -Thomas Lindberg

Romans 2:7 shows us the importance of patience. It is a must. Certainly most of us have seen times in our lives when we failed to exhibit patience. During these times, we may have stopped praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Maybe we grew weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9). Some of us even failed to remain faithful (Hebrews 6:11).

We know we don’t always have patience, so how do we develop it? How do we acquire patience? First, patience begins with obedience. We make a decision to be patient, or steadfast. Some bible passages exemplifying this are: Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Revelation 2:10; Colossians 1:23; 2 Peter 3:17. Also, keep in mind that obedience is coupled with a promise. Such as in Revelation 3:21; 21: 7.

Next, patience continues with edification. Look at Paul, his example edifies us. Look at what he went through, yet remained patient (2 Corinthians 11:24). Look at his attitude “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). Look at his expectation having been patient (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

In these examples, Paul is saying that it’s up to us because nothing else can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39). Christ’s example also edifies us. We are to run with patience, “looking to Jesus” who ran with patience (Hebrews 12: 1-3). Yes, even our brethren today edify us!

Last, patience finishes with trial. For sure, Christians are going to be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). It takes trial to make a Christian perfect, or complete in Christ (James 1:2-4).

Remember, there is no “father Abraham” without “get thee out of thy country…unto a land that I will shew thee” (Genesis 12:1), or “Take now thy son…and offer him there” (Genesis 22:2). There is no “prophet Moses” without standing before Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1) or the wilderness wanderings. There is no Joshua without the battles in Canaan. There is no David without Goliath and his flights from Saul, or Daniel without the lions. There are no apostles without persecutions, and no Jesus with the cross.

Therefore, to answer the question, “How do we as Christians acquire patience?” We accomplish this by three things:

1) by obedience;
2) by edification;
3) and by trial

Patience and endurance/steadfastness are twin virtues that eventually will bring God's blessing. In times of trial and hardship we must put aside the human tendency to grumble, complain or manipulate and commit ourselves to "God's will and continue to do good" (1 Peter 4:19).

Scripture: Romans 12:12; Galatians 6:9; Romans 8:25; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 4:2

Prayer: I shall pass through this world but once. Therefore, any good that I can do, any kind act that I can perform for any fellow-creature, let me do it now. Let me not delay or omit it, for I shall not pass this way again.   (attributed to Stephen Grellet)

May God bless you,

Regina