What does the Bible say about patience?

www.GotQuestions.org

Question: "What does the Bible say about patience?"

Answer: Margaret Thatcher once said, “I am extraordinarily patient provided I get my own way in the end.” When everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate. The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated; when the sports car cuts us off in traffic; when a group of teenage boys are hogging the tennis courts; when our coworker derides our faith – again. Some people think they have a right to get upset in the face of irritations and trials. Impatience seems like a holy anger. The Bible, however, praises patience as a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22) which should be produced for all men (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Patience reveals our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence, and love.

Although most people consider patience to be a passive waiting or gentle tolerance, most of the Greek words translated “patience” in the New Testament (KJV) are active, robust words. Consider, for example, Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Does one run a race by passively waiting for slow-pokes or gently tolerating cheaters? Certainly not! The word translated patience in this verse means endurance. A Christian runs the race patiently by persevering through difficulties in hope of heaven. In the Bible, patience is persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled.

Clearly, patience does not develop overnight in the life of the believer. God’s power and goodness are crucial to the development of patience in His children. Colossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by Him to “great endurance and patience” while James 1:3-4 encourages us to know that trials are His way of perfecting our patience. Our patience is further developed and strengthened by resting in God’s perfect will and timing, even in the face of evil men who “men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalms 37:7). Ultimately, our patience is rewarded in the end “because the Lord's coming is near" (James 5:7-8). “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him” (Lamentations 3:25).

We see in the Bible many examples of those whose patience characterized their walk with God. James points us to the prophets: “We consider blessed those who have persevered” (James 5:10). He also refers to Job, whose perseverance was rewarded by what the “Lord finally brought about” (James 5:11). Abraham, too, waited patiently and “received what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15). Just as Jesus is our model in all things, so too did He demonstrate patient endurance, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

How do we display the patience that is characteristic of our lives in Christ? First, we thank God. A person’s first reaction is usually “Why me?”, but the Bible says to rejoice in God’s will (Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:6). Second, we seek His purposes. Sometimes, God puts us in difficult situations in order to witness. Other times, He might allow a trial for sanctification of character. Remembering that His purpose is for our growth and His glory will help us in the trial. Third, we remember His promises such as Romans 8:28, which tells us that “all things work together for good of who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The “all things” include the things that try our patience.

The next time you’re in a traffic jam, betrayed by a friend, or mocked for your testimony, how will you respond? The natural response is impatience which leads to stress, anger, and frustration. Praise God, Christians are no longer in bondage to a “natural response” because we have a new nature—the nature of Christ Himself (2 Corinthians 5:17). Instead, they have the Lord’s strength to respond with patience and in complete trust in the Father’s power and purpose. “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” (Romans 2:7).