Being Patient - Part 1

One of the most difficult things to do is to wait.  In our fast-paced society, where many things are available in an instant, it has become increasingly difficult to wait for anything.  However, it is only when we wait for something that true joy can be experienced upon completion of a task.  When we stop and look at what it means to be patient, we will more than likely see that the benefits of waiting far exceed the end result.   This means that if you wait instead of looking for shortcuts, you will enjoy the outcome more because there is more that is invested into the desired outcome. 

The first thing that you need to consider when evaluating being patient is that there must be a time investment.   The hardest thing for the human race to do is to wait.   In almost every instance, if you told someone that they had two options when it comes to something, 99 times out of 100, they will more than likely take the faster option.   Their reasoning is that they want to move on quickly because they have many other things on their plate that they want to accomplish.  They will also say that they are maximizing the time that they are given by getting all the things done in their lives.  The problem that will develop over time is that this person will be very fatigued and will be dreading the ever-mounting list of things that they have to do. 

Take on the other side, the other individual that has taken the slower path, many times they will still be fatigued not because of the business of life, but for the amount of time and effort that they have put into the end result.  If you ask them why they are willing to take the time, you will find out that they enjoy doing it, and while they will many times not do as many things, they have taken the few things and do them very well and are very knowledgeable about the process.  Additionally, many times, it is because they invested the time that the availability of many products is available. 

As we look at the biblical passages, we will see that there are several things that are related to being patient.   The first thing that comes to mind is that there will be more self-control.  I am reminded of the passage in Proverbs 16:32, which says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” When I look at this passage, Solomon is advising that self-control is someone who is patient is better than the strongest person.  At the same time, one who guards his actions than someone who conquers.   I think that those who are so busy with the quick results will take little time to consider what it might cost or the results that will occur later.   For someone that is willing to invest the time, they will be less impulsive and consider all the costs and outcomes before they invest into something and many times will avoid a loss over those who make a quick decision.

Another concept of being patient is that individuals are kinder and less arrogant.  When Paul talks to the Corinthian church, he reminds them in Chapter 13:4 that love suffers long, or some versions will use the word patient, and that love is kind, love doesn’t parade itself or is not puffed up.   Many times, when you see someone who is patient, they are kind, and when they receive the praise, it is more on the product that is completed than themselves.  However, when you see someone who is doing so quickly, they will seek compliments on their achievement and how quickly it is done.  Very little details will be given about the details on how they got there.   With someone that is patient, the details will become more important than the outcome. 

Paul also reminds us and the Philippian church that we should be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. In this powerful reminder, we see the opposite end of patience, and that is being anxious.   This is something that is cautioned about repeatedly as it can lead to other problems.  One of which is fear.   Many times, we will see someone who is in a hurry to get something; it is because they are afraid that they will not get it and they will not feel complete as a result.  This also can lead to a personality that is focused on themselves, and could potentially lead to further problems such as greed and then becoming deceitful when it comes to securing what they want before someone else. 

A positive attribute that you see when someone is patient is that they are patient with everyone that they come into contact with.  We all know of a person who is patient, and many times, they will be asked why they are so patient, and their reasoning is that they treat everyone that way and then not become upset at the outcome, especially if they know that the person tried their best.  Paul gives two reminders of these people, one to the church of Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 5:14) and the other to Timothy (2:24) directly.  With Timothy, Paul was a little stronger with the advice as Paul advised Timothy that as a servant of the Lord, this is what He should do.  So, for Timothy, as one who was in ministry, being patient is something that was required as a part of the ministry in showing others towards Christ.  As Christians, while this is difficult for many of us, we should be looking at being more patient in all the things that we do so as to bring honor to God and not ourselves.  

If you want, the most challenging part of being patient is when there is adversity.   This could be a physical illness or even a spiritual attack.  Those who are patient many times have built up an endurance that allows them to maintain the same outcome for a longer period of time.   When you look at athletes, they don’t stop working on their skills when they arrive at the top level.  They are working even more so that they can maintain it and outlast their opponents.  The same thing could be said for Christians: if we just do enough to get by, when multiple attacks come, we will not succeed, even though we know how to get there.   This is why battles between two physical enemies can go on for long periods of time.  They are battling to see who has the greater endurance and hope that the other one fatigues quicker.  This is why the writer of Romans advised the Christians that they should be patient in tribulation and continue in prayer. 

Those who are patient because they know the details that it takes to get to the result are more likely to spot the potential problems as they have either seen them in the process it took to get there or they know where the flaws could be and then are better equipped to resolve them.   The writer of Hebrews advised the Christians that they should not be sluggish but to imitate those with patience and faith.  (Hebrews 6:12)   When you look for someone who is an expert in a particular field, many times we look at how they got there in the first place.  Is it someone who is newer to the field or someone who has been in the field for a longer time?  The second aspect that you will look at is how they got their information to complete the project.  Is the source that they used reputable, or is it just someone who has little experience?  

In our next blog, we will continue to look at not only the benefits of patience but also why, for many Christians, the need to slow down is beneficial both in a physical sense and also in a spiritual sense.