Patiently Waiting

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31 Most people would describe patience as a good character trait. But did you know that, as a Christian, patience is intimately tied to your faith in God? If we are being honest, many of us will admit that patience is a quality more admired than possessed.

The apostle Paul lists patience, or long-suffering, as one of the fruits of the Spirit ( Galatians 5: 22). Patience in a biblical sense is not just a question of temperament; it is a way of training our inner spirit to persevere as we trust God to fulfill the promises found in His Word. As Christians, patience means learning to take the long path rather than the easy one.

Patience will always require trusting in God. If we go forth in our own strength, we will faint and utterly fall; but setting our hearts and our hopes in the Lord, we will be carried above all circumstances. It is then that we are able to lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. God is ever gracious to all that come to Him by faith in Christ; and blessed are those who persevere (James 5:11).

Though patience is a struggle to produce on our own, it is fruit that occurs naturally when we rely on the Holy Spirit. On any given day, we may encounter frustrating people and situations, such as a mischievous child, uncooperative coworker, or slow commute. We might feel like lashing out, but God wants us to stay calm and be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Scripture has a number of things to say about believers developing this important attribute.

First, it is our calling. God urges us to be tolerant, kind, and bear each other’s burdens (Ephesians 4:1-3). Second, the Lord has set an example for us: He demonstrated patience toward Peter’s actions, the crowd’s demands, and the leaders’ false accusations. We should aspire to such composure. And third, we should recognize how damaging impatience is. It can hurt others and close off dialogue. Responding calmly gives people room to confess wrongdoing, explain their attitude, and make changes.

Patience is part of the spiritual fruit that increasingly develops as we’re conformed to Christ’s image (Galatians 5:2223). When we rely on the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to wade through moments of waiting and provocation without becoming agitated. A calm demeanor in times of delay or adversity can be a powerful witness to the transforming work of God.

Waiting patiently on the Lord is key to living a virtuous life: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

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