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Patience

 



a strong belief in God's timing and plan, persevering through hardships with unshakeable faith.

The word "patience" in Galatians 5:22 literally translates to "long temper," as in "the ability to hold one's temper for a long time."


"In your patience possess ye your souls," Jesus said (Luke 21:19). Additionally, he emphasised Matthew 24:13 NKJV, which states, "He who endures to the end shall be saved." It takes time to achieve certain goals, and some things don't happen right away.


How to be patient 

1.Recognise God's Patience with You: God is the perfect illustration of patience: 2 Peter 3:9 states, "The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." Acknowledging God's great tolerance towards people, including your own transgressions, can motivate you to show others the same grace. The example of Jesus: Christ's "perfect patience" is emphasised in 1 Timothy 1:16 as an example for believers. Focussing on Jesus teaches you to handle challenging circumstances and people with grace, just as He did.

2. Ask God for patience: James 4:2 reminds us that "You do not have, because you do not ask." You can actively pray for patience, which is a gift from God. 

Pray for particular circumstances: Ask God to grant you the patience you need in a difficult circumstance that puts your patience to the test. Philippians 4:6-7 exhorts us to pray to God about everything, putting our faith in His timetable and asking for His peace.

3. Acknowledge that patience is a fruit of the spirit: The Holy Spirit is responsible for it; Galatians 5:22–23 mentions patience as one of the "fruits of the Spirit." This implies that patience will develop organically as you let the Holy Spirit operate in your life. Develop other virtues According to Colossians 3:12-13, Ephesians 4:2, patience is linked to other biblical virtues such as humility, compassion, and gentleness. Developing these additional traits can also help you become more patient.

4. Accept Trials and Afflictions: Patience via testing: James 1:2–4 states that "perseverance is produced by the testing of your faith." Allow perseverance to do its job so that you can grow up to be fully grown and complete. Trials provide you the chance to develop your patience and strengthen your character. In Romans 12:12, believers are urged to "rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Let us rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation. Patience is really created during difficult circumstances.

5. Develop the Ability to Wait on God's Timing: Have faith in God's sovereignty: Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 tells us that "everything has its time." A crucial component of patience is having faith that God has a perfect plan and timetable for your life, even when it seems like nothing is moving forward.  Psalm 37:7 counsels us to "be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." That means to be still and wait. This entails letting go of your desire for instant satisfaction and putting your trust in God.

6. Practice Patience in Relationships:

 Bear with one another in love: Ephesians 4:2 urges us to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." This applies to family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.

 Love is patient: 1 Corinthians 13:4 clearly states, "Love is patient, love is kind." If you are striving to love others biblically, patience will be a natural outflow.


7. Take Note of Biblical Models: Examine those who waited patiently: According to Romans 15:4, you can acquire patience from the examples of people who faced difficulties with patience and faith, such as Abraham (Hebrews 6:12, 15).


When to be patient?

Biblical patience involves relying on God with genuine trust, especially during trying circumstances, rather than merely being receptive or patient. This virtue is demonstrated by enduring hardships, having faith in God's promises, and showing compassion for others despite their difficulties.

In our dealings with other people, the Bible also instructs us to exercise patience. We are urged to "clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" when interacting with other people in Colossians 3:12-13. We are reminded that those who can be hard or challenging to love should be treated with patience.


1. Praying for loved ones while you wait on God: When praying for loved ones' salvation or well-being, patience is essential since God may operate in their lives at His own pace. 

-Waiting for Answers: To prevent impatience or giving up on God's promises, patience is crucial when facing challenging circumstances or while waiting for answers to prayers. Having Faith in God's Timetable: "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" is what the Bible advises us to do (Psalm 37:7).


2. When Dealing with Others: Exhibiting Kindness and Compassion: Being patient entails being kind with people, particularly those who could be challenging. 

-Love and Forgiveness: Two essential elements of Christian life are love and forgiveness, both of which depend on patience. The Bible exhorts believers to "bear with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit" (Ephesians 4:2).


3.The Bible exhorts us to "rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation" (Romans 12:12) when faced with challenging situations.

- Endurance and Character: Character and hope are developed through patience in the face of adversity. -


-Trusting God's Sovereignty: Patience enables us to believe that God is working everything out for the best, even when things don't go as planned (Romans 8:28).


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