Patience is a positive character trait which can be defined as longsuffering, endurance, or perseverance. The opposite of patience is impatience or restlessness.
Here are some Bible passages that mention this character quality:
- A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Prov 19:11)
- Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (Prov 25:15)
- The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Eccl 7:8)
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, . . . (Gal 5:22)
- We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Heb 6:12)
- Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. (Jas 5:7)
Like the other foundational character traits, patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Word tells us to imitate the prophets and the people of faith mentioned in Hebrews 6 to learn patience (Hebrews 6:12; James 5:10). Their faith patiently endured through many trials and tribulations.
Patience goes hand in hand with wisdom (Proverbs 19:11), and we’re told that patience is better than pride. (Eccl 7:8) Through patience, even a king can be persuaded! (Prov 25:15)
As a necessary ingredient for living the Christian life, patience is recommended to us in Colossians 1:10-12, Colossians 3:12, and Hebrews 6:12. If you want to serve the Lord and minister to His people, you will need patience to fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:2; Ja 5:7)
The Lord’s patience with us means salvation (2 Peter 3:15). According to 2 Peter 1:2, 3, the Lord has already given to us ALL that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. God has already given us patience even as He has given us all that we need, but it will grow and mature as we draw closer to the Lord and learn of Him.
May God fill you with His joy as you journey through life with Him.
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