When referring to trials, patience is the capacity for restraint and self-control despite circumstances that might cause agitation. It is persistence in a trial (Lk 11:5-10) – planting our feet with our face into the wind. In relationships, patience is an even-tempered restraint in the face of provocation. Not only do we refuse to yield to the tantrums of others, but we also bless others when they provoke us. Thus, patience is active as well as passive.
It is easy to be impatient when faced with setbacks or hardships. Often, we have a low tolerance for frustration. We may assume that our problems should be quickly and easily solved. We might think it is unfair that we have to wait for our goals to be met. Reality doesn’t match how we think it should be so we act independently or resentfully.
Patience is essential to pleasing God (Rom 2:7) and being fruitful in service (Lk 8:15). It is needed to receive answers to prayer (Lk 18:1-8), to facing persecution and suffering (Rom 12:14; Heb 10:32), and to facing delay without becoming depressed (Rom 4:20 with Heb 6:15). It is a key to successful spiritual warfare (Eph 6:13) and is a condition for reigning (2 Tim 2:12). Through patience, we inherit what the Lord has for us (Ps 37:7-8).
So how do we become more patient? Patience is an expression of love (1 Cor 13:4, 7), hope (1 Thess 1:3), and faith (Heb 6:12). It is a fruit of being habitually controlled by the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). We should pray for patience (Col 1:10-11) and focus on both God’s mercy to us and our commonality with others as a means of being patient with them.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.