Powerful Bible Verses to Help You Be Patient
Part 1
There is a saying in Christian households that says,
“Patience is a virtue.” When typically evoked, this phrase is not
attributed to any original speaker, nor is there an explanation
of why patience is a virtue. This familiar saying is often spoken
to encourage someone to wait on a desired outcome and not try to
force a particular occurrence. Note, the phrase does not say,
“waiting is a virtue.” Rather, there is a distinction between
waiting and being patient.
There is speculation about the originator of the quote. As is
often the case with history and literature, researchers have
different suspects including writer Cato the Elder, Prudentius,
and more. While the phrase itself is not biblical, there is
biblical truth in the statement. Patience is cited as one of
the qualities of love in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”
With this verse accompanied by details of the entire chapter,
we can infer that patience is not simply the act of waiting,
but waiting without complaint (self-seeking). Thus, patience
is in reality a virtue, and one of biblical significance. With
a clearer understanding of patience, we can begin to examine
the Bible for examples and how that virtue relates to waiting.
What Does the Bible Say about Patience or Waiting on the Lord?
The Bible includes many tales of people waiting on God. These
stories range from the Israelites’ forty-year journey through
the wilderness, to Jesus waiting to be sacrificed on Calvary.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven:”
Much like the annual seasons, we have to wait to see certain
aspects of life. Kids wait to grow up. Adults wait to grow old.
People wait to find jobs or wait to get married. In many instances,
waiting is out of our control. And in many instances waiting is
undesired. A phenomenon of instant gratification plagues the world
today, especially American society. Information, online shopping,
and communication are available at our fingertips. Thankfully, the
Bible has already transcended such thinking with the idea of patience.
As the Bible makes the case that patience is waiting without complaint,
the Bible also makes clear that waiting is difficult. The Book of Psalms
provides many passages of lamenting to the Lord, praying for a change –
turning a dark season into something brighter. As David shows in Psalm 3
while he fled his son Absalom, he prayed with full confidence that God
would deliver him from the hand of the enemy. His writings were not always
so positive. Psalm 13 reflects greater despair, but he still ends on a note
of trusting God. Waiting becomes patience when trust is involved.
Psalm 13
1(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) How long wilt thou forget me,
O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?
how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the
sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble
me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
David used prayer to express his grievances to God but never allowed the
situation to make him lose sight of God. This is vital for Christians to remember.
While life will prove to be very difficult, sometimes enough to cause despair,
God provides a temporary solution, prayer. In the end, He will take care of the rest.
When we choose to give God control instead of wrestling over it for ourselves, we begin
to mirror Jesus who said, “not my will, but thine, be done”
Luke 22:42
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will,
but thine, be done.”
Developing this virtue is not easy, but definitely possible.
“Only one life to live and soon is past
Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Hoping to make the time I have left count for the glory of God.
Powerful Bible Verses to Help You Be Patient Part 1