Patience is Fundamental

A young father in a supermarket was pushing a shopping cart with his little son, who was strapped in the front. The little boy was fussing, irritable, and crying.

The other shoppers gave the pair a wide berth because the child would pull cans off the shelf and throw them out of the cart. The father seemed to be very calm; as he continued down each aisle, he murmured gently: “Easy now, Brian. Keep calm, Brian. Steady, Brian. It’s all right, Brian.”

A mother observing the commotion and hearing the soft utterances was greatly impressed by this young father’s solicitous attitude. She walked over and said, “You certainly are to be commended for your patience with little Brian.

The Father looked her in the eye and with a tone of resignation said, “Lady, I’m Brian.”

Patience is identified as one of the fundamentals of our faith in Paul’s list of the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:23.

In his letter to the Colossians the apostle spoke of the character of the new man, one who is clothed in Christ. His exhortation involved putting on patience (Col 3:12-14).

Patience Defined

Dr. Thayer says patience is “forbearance, slowness in avenging wrongs.” The word is translated longsuffering. It literally means “long tempered.” It has to do with fortitude. Endurance. And restraint.

Various anonymous sources have defined patience in this way. “Patience is the ability to accept delay or disappointment graciously.” “Patience is the powerful attribute that enables a man or a woman to remain steadfast under strain and continue pressing on.” “Patience is a calm endurance based on the certain knowledge that God is in control.”

Why is Patience so Difficult?

(1) It Goes Against Human Nature. We are born impatient. When a baby wakes up and is wet or hungry, it doesn’t think, I’ll wait until morning and not bother mom.

Often we’re like the two women depicted in a carton in Leadership Magazine,. As they were walking home one Sunday after worship they were chatting the about meals planned for later that afternoon and casually discussing the morning service.

“That was a great sermon on patience,” remarked Rhonda.

Gladys replied, “Yeah, but he went five minutes long.”

(2) It is contrary to our culture. We live on the fast track. We live in a world of fast food. One hour printing. Express lunches. Microwaves. Instant internet communication. Like the kids’ commercial advertising the cell phone says, “fast is better.” One Florida church even advertises 22 minute services.

(3) We have even elevated impatience to a virtue. We admire the type A business person. Hard charging people. Choleric personalities. You hear it said, “Well I may be impatient but I get things done.

However, God calls us to patience The wise man wrote “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly” (Prov. 14:9).

How Do We Develop Patience?

(1) Abide in Christ (Jn. 15:5). He is the perfect example of patience. In his work. In dealing with difficult people. In training the apostles. In suffering. Being more Christ-like will produce greater patience.

(2) Grow in Love. The great love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 says, “Love is patient.” The more we love, the greater we love, the deeper we love, the more patient we become. Got a problem being patient with people? Just love ‘em more.

(3) Prayer. In Colossians 1:9-11 Paul prayed for several things, including patience. Want patience? Pray! Just don’t be like the fellow who prayed, “Lord give me more patience….and right now!”

(4) Slow down. Take a break. Even God rested on the Sabbath from his work of creation. Jesus often took time out of his hectic schedule to go the Mountains, or the sea shore, and just get away from the crowds.

(5) Wait on the Lord. The Psalmist said, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart, wait, I say, on the Lord! ( Ps. 27:14).

Finally, as you work to develop patience, remembers the words of the Indian author, Eknath Easwaran. “Patience can’t be acquired overnight. It’s just like building up a muscle. Every day you need to work on it, to push its limits.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman