He steers us back to the wisdom of his word until it becomes who we are.
One definition of patience is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” According to that definition, how patient are you feeling these days?
Think about what requires the most amount of patience from you when it’s hardest to give. Maybe it’s your spouse who didn’t do that simple thing you asked…again. Maybe it’s a child who put off a school assignment until the last minute and now she needs your help. Or perhaps it’s getting what you need at the DMV.
Now multiply that challenge to be patient by billions of people and circumstances. That’s how much patience God displays each and every day.
It helps to remember that he’s not frustrated, angry or exasperated in the face of our troubles and delays in doing his will. He simply steers us back to the wisdom of his word until it becomes who we are. Over time he lovingly reminds us:
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. (Proverbs 14:29)
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18)
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)
As we let him mold us into the person he created us to be, we gain divine understanding, a calm demeanor, and supernatural self-control—a powerful witness in an impatient world.
Let’s pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for divine patience and perspective regarding [person or situation]. I submit my will and timing to your sovereign leadership and trust you with the outcomes. Mold me into a patient person who reflects the character of Christ in all relationships, unforeseen delays and troubling circumstances. Thank you for working all things together for good in my life as I follow your loving leadership. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.