A Godly Approach to Being Patient

by | Jun 8, 2018 | Christian Living, Faith

We live in an era of impatience, where everyone is in a hurry and few take the time to look up from their phones. Patience is a cardinal characteristic of God, so developing and demonstrating patience is one of the first steps to developing genuine godliness. You must learn to endure patiently to realize God’s purpose for you. Share on X

The Importance of Being Patient

The Dictionary defines patience as “the capacity, habit, or fact of bearing pains or trials calmly, or without complaint.” This meaning is not dissimilar to the spiritual definition of patience.  True Godly patience is facing an unpleasant or irritating situation and bearing it without complaint. When you find yourself fighting feelings of impatience, follow these simple steps to get back on the right track:

Practice Empathy

You might find yourself behind a young mother in line at the grocery store. You’ve only got a few things to buy, while she piles the conveyor belt high with items. You start to tap your foot with impatience, annoyed that she didn’t let you go in front of her. When you catch yourself fighting impatience, step back and look at the situation with empathy. The woman is juggling groceries and tired kids. She is probably a bit embarrassed and seems frazzled. She could probably use some help with those groceries, don’t you think? Practicing empathy allows you to put yourself in her shoes, and see her through God’s lens.

Take a Break

This may sound contradictory, but in the face of trials or inconveniences, take a deep breath and a break from what’s bothering you.  Immerse yourself in God’s word, take a short walk outside, or visit a good friend. Revisit the issue at another time, when you feel more at peace. If you’re out, pull up some scripture stories related to patience, to remind yourself of others who have faced far worse than you with grace and compassion. These mental breaks can put things into perspective and helps to avoid situations that could lead to careless words and hurt feelings.

Ask For God’s Help

As with all things, asking for God’s help is vital for personal growth. A simple prayer asking God to grant you empathy and patience can give you a powerful sense of peace. However, when you pray for help or guidance, what’s your timeline for a response? People tend to grow impatient and lose hope when help seems slow in coming, but it is important to be patient with God too! Prayers should not be sporadic, but a daily conversation with God to refocus your heart on what’s important.

True Patience

People with true patience bear trials calmly, aware that every loss is a lesson. God wants us to stand tall in the face of adversity. Patient people are not impetuous but act with wisdom and discretion. If you wait for God, live a righteous life, practice patience and endure to the end, a blessed future awaits you.

Connect With Us to learn more about what we believe and how to live with Godly patience every day. We hope to see you this Sunday!

Related Posts

5 Bible Verses About Fear

5 Bible Verses About Fear

Many, if not everyone, have found themselves with fear at one time or another. But there are several Bible verses about fear. Sometimes, the fear we experience is a sort of fantasy that movies are made out of, like the fear of a sea serpent or aliens.  Sometimes this...

21 Scriptures for Christians Who Struggle with Loneliness 

21 Scriptures for Christians Who Struggle with Loneliness 

Loneliness is something that many Christians struggle with at different points in their life. Whatever the cause or circumstance surrounding those who are feeling lonely, it can be a challenging and discouraging season. In today’s social media-immersed world, there is...

What the Bible says about Depression

What the Bible says about Depression

Depression is something both Christians and non-Christians have had to navigate. In our previous blog, we discussed what the bible says about anxiety, which is something that often goes hand in hand with depression. While the Bible does not always present a quick fix,...

WHAT WE BELIEVE


Oak Ridge Baptist Church (ORBC)
View More

NEW HERE?


Here’s What You Can Expect
View More



Church Members if you are looking for more ways to stay connected. A sample of things you can do with downloading this app:


Membership info
S.H.A.P.E. profile
Calendaring
Res for Event
Giving through Text