Patience as a fruit of the spirit may sound cliche but it’s really worth it. Having a forbearance to go through with some things in life may be difficult, but the benefits far outway doing the opposite which is being uncontrolled and impatient.
We’ve all been there. The child who throws tantrums whenever he doesn’t get his way. The significant other who gets upset after the least provocation. The friend who decides to shift from one thing to the next or behaves rudely in public.
The Cost of Impatience
Being impatient may seem cute or in some cases let people laugh jokingly, but it also has consequences. Think in the Bible about people such as Job who was told by all around that continuing to be faithful or trusting God was just a waste of time. Seemed that Job got something out of it later despite the prevailing circumstance right?
The popular book “Think And Grow Rich,” has a fascinating description of some persons rushing to an area that had possibilities of gold mines and lucking out because they dug for a bit in their area and found nothing. However, another owner bought the property, did some evaluations, started excavating again in a veined area deep down in the earth of the digging site, and struck a veritable gold find!
Could you be missing out on golden opportunities simply because you are impatient to see things through until the end?
Personal Relationships Become More Fulfilling
The first and obvious sign of bonding in life with patience is that you start to cultivate better relationships. The great motivational speaker Les Brown, opines that you should stick with “Only Quality People,” or what he dubs “OQP.” And he’s right.
The people who are great friends are friends. It’s as simple as that.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
However, one of the things that distinguish a great friend from just an accomplice is the requirement to be understanding, truthful, trustworthy, and patient. Many circumstances will pop up to test the faith and love in a friendship or mutual bond. Those that stand the test of time know how to adapt to situations, continue to love each other, and forgive multiple times. If you don’t, then you will always feel unfulfilled and personal growth will become stagnant.
And remember that relationships can span the gamut of friendships, spousal relationships, sibling love, or bonding with your co-workers. All become much more fulfilling with a little dose of patient understanding.
Businesses Take Time To Grow
Just like the gold miners spoken about above, you should also know that forbearance and self-discipline in business are key for success.
You will never be able to finish a good qualification, strive to the heights of your career, build on a business or work with others in a community without a lot of patience. It is a key ingredient for becoming better at your enterprise and growing in your pursuits.
What generally happens for many people is that they lack sticktoitiveness and jump from one thing to the next. Or they presume once failure hits that it means something painful and distressing is on the way.
Note that you must fail, sometimes gloriously painfully and multiple times before coming to success. Indeed, you will even need more than motivation, but a solid plan of action, good mentors, an accountable network of friends, adequate reasons to accomplish your dreams, and a strong vision to become great at what you do.
And guess what? All of that takes a lot of patience, self-control, and Godly wisdom.
Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” Be passionate in what you do and lean on Godly knowledge. It is your relationship with God that will serve you and cause you to move better towards success. Let the virtue of patience define and groom you to excellence in your endeavours.
Walk With God Renewed
We have to walk with God in a renewed and hopeful manner daily to stay patient and loving. Our day-to-day will become tiring, experience painful events, and meet upon bad situations. It is our attitude through it that will make all the difference though.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness,” states Lamentations 3:22-23.
If God can stay patient with us who are imperfect and still remain faithful to us, maybe we should take a leaf out of his book of compassion and love.
Romans 12:12 mentions this in a lovely way by saying we should be patient in affliction. The surrounding verses delve into deeper meaning on how active love is shown.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)
The more of the patience of God we show will accrue more benefits for us in the future. The less we cling to his understanding is how we start to reduce in fruitfulness.
The knowledge of God teaches us patience is a virtue. It is also a gateway to self-management, better relationships, and more productive work. Let us choose to remain loving and thankful. Gratefulness is being a patient steward for God.
