Now, now, now... We've all heard that patience is a virtue. It's a valued trait. So why is it so hard to come by? We often see a lot of impatience rather than patience. It's easy for us to complain, to sigh in frustration, to take our anger out on others. But Christ calls us to be patient. So what does that look like?
In the Bible, there are 2 main types of patience. The first type is hupomonē. This literally means "a remaining under." It's staying steadfast during difficult circumstances. It's being able to endure pain with little complaining. This type of patience builds character. It allows us to work through hard times while knowing that better days will come even if they're not here yet.
The second type of patience is makrothumia . This means "long temper." It's self-restraint, careful thinking, being slow to speak and even slower to anger. This is the type of patience we need to show to others on a daily basis.
Now, we can't have patience on our own. True patience comes from the Lord and from Him only.
"May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Christ is patience and it is only by knowing Christ that we can know true patience. By allowing patience into our lives, a few things happen. We're able to allow God to work in our lives and in our hearts. The Holy Spirit will come into our hearts and cleanse them from impatience and stubbornness. He will shape our hearts to look more like Christ. We will also be able to better trust God's plan and His timing for our lives. A lot of times in life, things don't happen exactly when we want. We tend to want things now, but that's not what God wants for us, and it's not what is best for us. God's timing is perfect. We must wait for His will to be done when it needs to be done. Patience allows us to wait and see His plan come to fruition.
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present line. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait patiently for it." - Romans 8:22-25
We're also called to wait patiently for His glory to be revealed. As Christians, we know that one day Christ will come back and restore the earth. There will be no more pain, no more sin, and no more suffering. Until then, we must wait.
