The Patient Character of God

"God's patience is infinite. Men, like small kettles, boil quickly with wrath at the least wrong. Not so God. If God were as wrathful, the world would have been a heap of ruins long ago."  - Sadhu Sundar Singh, Indian Christian missionary

Patience can be difficult to manage for many of us. To be cool and calm during trying circumstances can be challenging, There may be certain things that trigger impatience, or a even anger, in our lives; most of which are due to our own expectations.

For instance, having to wait too long in line for that Ultra Caramel Frappuccino, or a lack of front row parking spaces at the store. Our own high expectations take a hit when things around us don't go exactly as we think they should.

Maybe it's that person that shows up late for an appointment, or the clerk is helping another customer for what you think is an inordinate amount of time, and not attending to you. Or when you take on a do-it-yourself project that, at least in your case, isn't.

I'm sure that you could easily add many more to this list. But, the point is this: patience (longsuffering) is not our best quality. Thankfully, God has more than enough of it for all of us! You could say that patience is one of his best attributes.

That God is compassionate, kind, and unfailingly merciful are all wrapped into his patience. The Bible mentions this a lot, so it must be an important thing to know, Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15 (KJV), to call your attention to a few examples.

It's a good thing for us that God, because of goodness and tenderness, doesn't get angered, provoked, or annoyed that easily! He wants all of us to have a good chance at repentance and salvation, that's why he so patiently waits (2 Peter 3:9, 15).

Scripture: Colossians 3:12; Romans 2:4; Jeremiah 15:15; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Romans 9:22

Prayer: Dear God, teach me to be patient, when all day long my heart is troubled by little, but troublesome problems, amen

Joyfully in Christ,

Elaine