Patience

The Bible is abundantly clear. God wants us to be patient. I feel as if I have never given this the consideration it deserves. Why is patience so important to God?

We need to learn patience partially because there are things outside of our control, beyond the limits of our ability. We need to learn how to wait well on the things which will be given to us, either by other people or by God. When we patiently wait, we show that we trust in His promises.

But God Himself is also patient. That’s amazing when we think of the fact that there is nothing that’s beyond His power to control. He can do whatever He wants, when He wants it! So why should God Himself exercise patience?

I think the answer lies in the fact that God wants the best for everybody. For example, He waits for people to repent, as He does not want anyone to perish, so He gives the world more time before Jesus returns and the final day of judgement arrives. He holds back because it is best for others.

In Isaiah Chapter 30, God says He wants to help Israel, even though, in their stubbornness, they are refusing His help. He explains that this means they will have even more troubles. But this is not the end. He also says that He will patiently wait until they are ready to trust in Him.

‘Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him’ (Isaiah 30:18, ESV).

There is something very selfless about exercising patience. In our sinful self, we just want things in our way and in our time. But God is so different. He is willing to wait if it results in blessings for you and me.

Personally, I find it particularly challenging to wait when I feel that I know the right way forward. But sometimes we need to learn to wait on others to get to that same place, so we can move forward together. When we are patient, others are blessed. It means putting the needs of others above our own.

When we exercise patience, we become more like God, less selfish and more loving. For me, I wish I had started taking patience more seriously earlier on in my life. But thank God, what matters most is not where I am now, but where I am heading. I want to become a more patient man. If you want to grow in patience too, then let’s pray together for the Lord to help us be more like Him.