We live in an era of instant gratification. When we want something to eat, we often drive through a fast-food restaurant, and get our food handed to us out a window. If we don’t want to go out, we throw something in the microwave, and we have an instant meal in three minutes or less.
When we want to find something out, we pull out a phone that is always connected to the internet and find any information that we need.
In an era that teaches us that everything should come instantly, how do we pursue patience?
How patient are you?
When you ask yourself that question, it’s probably easy to quickly declare that you’re a very patient person. None of us want to acknowledge that we occasionally have a short fuse. However, if we asked the people in your life that question, how would they respond.
Your spouse, children, siblings, parents, friends, and coworkers could probably all give a better indication of how patient you are than you can. We like to justify ourselves any chance we get. The people who know us aren’t as prone to do that.
We live in a society where patience isn’t promoted. Everything that we want, or need can generally be obtained quickly. If you want food, you can drive up to a drive thru and order it, or you can throw an instant meal in the microwave.
If you need to find something out, most of us have phones, tablets, and other devices that are constantly connected to the internet, meaning all of the information we need is just a couple clicks away. Our trips to the grocery store no longer involve walking around the store. Instead, we punch in what items we want on an app, and someone puts it in our car when we pull up to the store.
In a world that teaches us that patience isn’t necessary, how do we achieve patience? We know that long-suffering, another term for patience is a Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, which means we should be looking for ways to patience to grow in our lives.
However, patience won’t grow naturally. Instead, it will take intentional, deliberate decision making that can help you grow the kind of patience that you need.
Being Patient with You
1 Timothy 1:15-16 (TPT)
I can testify that the Word is true and deserves to be received by all, for Jesus Christ came into the world to bring sinners back to life-even me, the worst sinner of all! Yet I was captured by grace, so that Jesus Christ could display through me the outpouring of his Spirit as a pattern to be seen for all those who would believe in him for eternal life.
One of the most important aspects of being a patient person is found in being patient with yourself. When we asked the question at the beginning of today’s study about how patient you are, we discussed how we often try to justify ourselves. Unfortunately, some people go too far in the other direction.
There are times where many of us are too hard on ourselves, especially when we make a mistake. While God does not condone or endorse our sin, He also doesn’t want us to become so down on ourselves that we beat ourselves down mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Paul acknowledged that before he came into a relationship with Christ, he was the worst sinner of all! It’s safe to assume that Paul carried around some of the guilt for his past deeds, but instead of focusing on what he got wrong, Paul chose to focus on the good things that God was doing in his life.
Give yourself the grace that you need to be patient with yourself. When you do that, you’re more likely to be able to be patient with others. Constantly beating yourself down and failing to forgive yourself makes it harder for you to have healthy relationships with other people.
Being Patient with God
Psalm 145:15 (TPT)
You have captured our attention and the eyes of all look to you. You give what they hunger for at just the right time.
The Bible is full of examples of people who had to wait on God, even when the waiting took longer than they wanted to. The Book of Exodus discusses a waiting period of 40 years. The Israelites that God delivered out of Egypt were told they were going to the Promised Land.
However, there was a 40-year wait that they weren’t expecting. Daniel had to wait for three weeks to receive clarity about what God was telling him. Mary and Martha waited for four days on Jesus to come and heal Lazarus, and He didn’t show up until after their brother was dead.
Time after time in the Bible, we see God’s people having to wait. Waiting causes us to readjust our view of God. A lot of us view God as this large, mystical Father-type who we give a wish list to, and then He does whatever we say.
We believe that God either grants or denies our requests, but there is a third option. Sometimes, God says, “Wait.”
David understood waiting. While he was anointed as Saul’s replacement as King of Israel as a teenager, there was nearly 20 years between when he was anointed and when he took over the throne. However, he was still able to say, “You give what they hunger for at just the right time.”
God’s timing is perfect, just like everything else about him. If you’re praying for something and it hasn’t happened yet, be patient. God has a plan.
How to Practice Patience
Proverbs 19:11 (TPT)
A wise person demonstrates patience, for mercy means holding your tongue. When you are insulted, be quick to forgive and forget it, for you are virtuous when you overlook an offense.
Finally, commit yourself to practicing patience. As we’ve already discussed, you need to practice patience with yourself and with God, but you also need to practice it with others. No, the people around you don’t have everything figured out. No, they don’t have it all together, but neither do you.
The Bible teaches us that when we’re patient with others, and when we overlook an offense, we are displaying wisdom. Make sure that you’re approaching your relationships with others from a place of patience. Not only does this protect your relationships, but it also ensures that you’re exhibiting Godly behavior to everyone in your life.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know that I need to work on my patience. In a society that teaches instant gratification, I understand that “right now” isn’t always the best timing. Help me to be patient with myself, help me to wait on your timing, and most of all, help me to be patient with the people around me. In Christ’s name I ask these things, Amen.