Patience According to God

Patience is a virtue often emphasized in Scripture, a quality that God Himself embodies perfectly. In a world where everything is instant, and waiting is seen as a waste of time, patience according to God invites us to adopt a divine perspective, see beyond the immediate, and embrace God’s perfect plan for our lives.

1. Divine Patience: A Model to Follow

God is often described in the Bible as “slow to anger” and “abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8). This slowness to anger is not weakness but a demonstration of His complete control and His desire to allow everyone to repent. God, in His infinite patience, waits for us to return to Him, giving us the space and time to understand our mistakes and seek His face.

2. Patience in Our Lives

For us, patience according to God means waiting with faith and hope, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. It involves trusting God, believing that His timing is perfect, even when ours is not. In James 1:3-4, it says, “The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Patience is not just about waiting but waiting in a posture of peace and trust. In these moments of waiting, God works in us, refining our character, strengthening our faith, and preparing us for the blessings to come.

3. Patience in Relationships

In our interactions with others, patience is crucial. The Bible encourages us to be “patient with one another, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). This patience in relationships is a manifestation of divine love, a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Being patient with others means accepting their flaws, understanding their journey, and loving them despite their imperfections, just as God does for us.

4. The Fruit of Patience

Patience bears fruit. Those who are patient will see God’s promise fulfilled in their lives. Hebrews 6:12 encourages us “not to become sluggish, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Patience is thus a path to blessing, a key to accessing divine promises.