The Truth about Patience
Posted: Sunday, September 21, 2008
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
My friend and I were having a wonderful conversation about life changes, God's timing, and God's plan for our lives.
I purposely left out the "P" word, otherwise known as patience, and she just had to throw it in.
"No, I didn't mention the "P" word, Shish about the "P" word." I say, or something to that effect.
This conversation ended a while back and here I am still pondering the word. "Why-O-why did she have to go and mention the "P" word? In all honesty, I'm so glad she did. Over the last few weeks, I have had thoughts that seemed to lead to nowhere and now I have direction-the missing ingredient to all I have been trying to understand. Sometimes it's easier for me to preach than to practice.
For example, here is a snapshot of one of my latest conversations.
"I know this is God's call on my life, but I wish this phase were over", he says.
"I understand it would be difficult to be apart from your family, but don't wish away this time because you just might miss out on the most important thing God is trying to teach you."
Ha-easy for me to say.
Enter in the word patience-it sent me straight to the dictionary. If you are anything like me, you know what a word means, but sometimes you don't really think about its implications.
Patience = the will or ability to wait or endure without complaint; steadiness, endurance or perseverance in the performance of a task.
With a fresh understanding of the word, I run to my Bible for comfort, because at first glance patience sounds like a tool rather than a virtue-a torture device to be exact!
To endure without complaint-makes me think of Jesus. Can you imagine knowing that you were going to be put to death; a very painful death-a shameful death and you keep silent? How was he able to endure without complaint? How was he able to complete the task set before him? He was able to do it because he entrusted himself to his father. He looked to the positive results of his obedience and he knew there was purpose in the process. (Hmm.)
"Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Jesus Christ, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5
I am beginning to see a bigger picture unfold. God will never ask us to do something that he hasn't already done. This is very encouraging. As a Believer, I am saying that I trust God's plan for my life. When it comes down to it, am I just paying lip service?
Still, exercising patience has an additional purpose beside the foundational trust issue of those who claim to have faith in Jesus. God doesn't allow things to come into our lives just to give us an opportunity to prove our allegiance-He isn't a cruel God. So what is this additional purpose and is it essential?
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
"That you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." In other words, there is purpose in the process.
Patience is not something we should be praying for, it is something we already possess. The question is will we choose to walk in it during the uncomfortable times of our lives. Instead of complaining, we should be excited--we should be anticipating the good things God has planned.
Getting back to my comment to the one who is wishing away his current situation, which by the way, is a good place to be. Nevertheless, he still finds himself impatient. He wants this part of his life to be over so he can enjoy what he sees at arms-length. Why do we do this? Consider a brand-new parent. I was guilty of it as well. "I can't wait until she can crawl…I can't wait until she can walk, I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait…and suddenly she is an adult.
We learn how to be a parent by enduring the process--step by step, we improve. We learn the value of being in the moment and we gain skills to make life easier in the future. Consider any other situation in life. This same truth applies.
Without complaint? seriously? Great article Teresa! Exactly what I needed to hear, but then again you already knew that :)I know, without complaint, I guess that will take effort, but if we think about the character of our Lord, it should get easier :-)I am thankful for my friend who inspired this article and got me out of the slump I was in.God bless you-chickie!
Wonderful article, Teresa. Ah, patience. One thing that my husband continually credits me for having none--and I have to admit, he's right. I have to force myself to be patient (I hand him a list of to-do's and then I have to wait until he's ready to do them). But you're right, patience is a virtue.SandraHi Sandra, thanks for the encouragement. I think we wives have to excersise patience in the area of our honeydo lists for our honey :-)Just look at him through the eyes of love, Sandra :-)Have a blessed week!
Great article, Teresa. Patience...will I ever not struggle with it at some point? What Paul says comes to mind...learning to be content in all circumstances? Not sure of the exact wording, but that is what popped into my mind. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and letting God use you. Contentment...have you written about that yet? Not like you don't have a kazillion other things going on or anything!Thanks Lorrie :-) Yes, there will be a point when you no longer struggle with patience--do you really want to know the answer :-) Sounds morbid but true freedom from this body of sin is when we breathe our last as Paul says.Contentment--another bad word. Haven't written about that one yet. I'll get on it as soon as I have time to digest the P word.The contentment Scripture is 1 Tim 6:6...but Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. What does Paul mean when he says we will be content with these? O man, o man, I gots a long way to go. there you go, sending me off on a tangent. Thanks for giving me a kallion and one things to do :-)
hi t,this was a really good article, about a very important thing, patience.with it, things run smoothly, without it, you have no more hair! i also believe situations happen to teach us, so we can learn better ways of thinking and acting, therefore living. thanks for sharing,my best regards,sueHi Sue, thanks for for sharing your thoughts! I love your little thought on having no hair, how true.Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Excellent article Teresa,I used to be afraid of the lesson behind the P word. Although it is not always easy, it is well worth it. I struggle with it every time a situation arises, but once I surrender the lesson is far better than I imagined along with the end results. I believe God doesn't give us patience to test us, but for us to trust Him.Hugs, love and blessingsHi Michelle, I love how you put that. It is so true. It all comes down to trust. Even though He has never let us down, we act as though he just might this time.I think we still excersise trust, but somehow we subconsciously think that our circumstance has more power than God, therefore our actions say we trust the circumstance rather than God.
Hi Teresa,Good article. Patience is a lot easier when you are young and have nothing big to worry about. I have recently refound my own and realized that life is much easier when you practice patience.KathyHi Kathy, boy isn't that the truth . I'm so glad you found patience again. It really does payoff. Lord bless you! Thanks for reading and taking the time to say a few words.
I know this don't ever pray for it. AS you say, Patience = the will or ability to wait or endure without complaint; steadiness, endurance or perseverance in the performance of a task. Great quality but gettingt here can be very hard. RegardsHey Robert, how ya doin'? Ya, never pray for patience :-) I hope all is well on your end. God Bless you!I was just told today I am a man of great patience. If they only knew. In reality the trials overwhelm me at times and man's treatment of man really overwhelms. Frankly I have no patience for those types as my writing indicates. Vest wishes, RobertHi Robert. I think we have conditional patience based on our tolerance levels...I don't think this is God's idea of acceptable. We will keep plugging away with grace on our side. :-) Your articles reveal your passion and that's a good thing.
It is wonderful to have someone as a prayer partner and support system to help you throught difficult times in life. Pray God will show you many wonderful ways and life lessons to grow closer to him.Hi Lawrence, thank you for such a warm response. And thanks for the prayer, I def. want to keep growing closer. Same to you! Lord bless you!
This article teaches the virtue patience. And it does it mighty well! What a great article Teresa Ortiz!Hi Jay,Thanks for the kind comment. I am glad you enjoyed the article! God bless you!
Thanks Theresa,
I really enjoyed your writing style! My big joke for a while was that I prayed for patience and God's answer was to give me (a very difficult) first grade. That reminds me of another thing word, the N word. Not the one you think. I also said I would NEVER become a teacher and if I did I'd NEVER teach first grade. You already know how that turned out. And it's always for the best.
Val SilverThanks Val! Thanks for reading and taking a moment to comment. I didn't even think about the N word. Ya, I've said that one a few times myself.I wonder if we say never simply because we are already thinking/desiring something, but are afraid to admit it, or we are just trying to convince ourselves its not what we want.You are right, God knows best--kudos to you for being a 1st grade teacher !
