Four Scriptures about Patience

Patience is a key ingredient to our maturity in our relationship with God. It is what allows us to see the fruitation of God’s process in our lives. A patient person lives a surrendered life. It is a life of peace and contentment and it is the kind of life that the Lord desires for us all to live. We are all faced with situations that try our patience on a daily basis. When times are hard, it is even more difficult to persevere with a good attitude.

Below are four scriptures about patience and the importance of patience in our daily life.

Love is Patient

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

This verse is often recited at wedding ceremonies during the exchange of vows. It is the kind of love that will remain for better or for worse.

True love is patient and kind. It is a selfless love. This is how God expects us to treat each other, with patience and with kindness. When love is patient it waits for others without resentment. This includes being patient in the face of being hurt or mistreated. Kindness is patience in action. We are patient and kind with others and do so with sympathy and consideration. This type of love is tender and forgiving when wronged.

Patient love is a persistent love. It means choosing to love the other person through difficult times. When someone wrongs you, you choose to love them anyways and won’t call it quits just because you’re tired, frustrated, or hurt. When people are patient and committed to loving each other there is a unity, purpose, and strength. We develop a perspective that allows us to see people through the eyes of Christ and focus on the eternal worth of every human being.

Patience Will Reap Benefits in the End

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes 7:8) 

The end is better than the beginning. The fruit is better than the bloom. The reaping in better than the sowing. Victory is better than the march to battle. These are just a few examples of where you can see that the end is better than the beginning.

In this verse, Solomon is teaching us patience. He wants us to think of how the benefits in the end is going to be much better than the beginning. When we focus on the beginning, we have a tendency to draw quick conclusions and make rash decisions based on the limited facts. Instead of being overwhelmed during these times, we need to focus on the end and have patience to wait for the satisfaction we will receive at the end. When you are patient and focus on the ending, overtime things will become clearer.

Who remembers the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? The hare was full of pride and quick to jump to the conclusion that he could win any race. The tortoise was more patient and slowly plodded along towards the finish line without stopping. It is through that patience that the tortoise ended up reaping the benefits of finishing the race. If he just quit at the beginning when it looked like the hare was going to win, he would never had won the race.

Patience eliminates evil actions

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)

On any given day, we encounter frustrating people and situations. Drivers on the Freeway, uncooperative co-workers, nosy neighbors, a mischievous child. God wants us to stay calm and patient with everyone. Patience allows us to turn the other cheek and not get drawn into negativity because of someone else’s behavior choices.

Even though some people will be unruly or discouraging while others are disheartened and weak, every one of them needs encouragement to help them move forward in God’s purpose. We need to look at every situation having a potential for good as we are directed by the Lord and not get impatient or frustrated with each other.

As God’s children, we are called to live a life worthy of Him. One that is characterized by humility, gentleness, and patience. The scriptures tell us to be tolerant of one another, bearing each other’s burdens, and responding with kindness. When we are patient, it helps us not to react to the negative behavior, bur rather pursue what is good and beneficial for everyone involved. This reveal Christ likeness in us and glorifies the Father.

Waiting for the Lord

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37.7)

We are living in a world where evil seems to be taking over. The wicked seem to be prosperous and having all the advantages. It is legal to use profane language in schools but it’s not legal to pray. Young girls can get an abortion without your knowledge or consent, but not have their ears pierces. These are just a few examples from our society.

We want change now. But we are reminded not to fret by the actions and attitudes of the wicked, who seem to prosper in their wicked ways for they shall receive what is coming. God asks us to be still and wait patiently. Worrying and anxiety will not solve the problems and will often times lead to other problems.

We are called be still in the presence of God simply by trusting in His Word of truth, abiding in His love and being content to await His timing. Patience is trusting God to keep His promises in His perfect timing. Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.

Other Scriptures about Patience

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18)

The LORD is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look on my suffering. My young men and young women have gone into exile. (Lamentations 3:25-27)

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:8)

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:25)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13)