We live in an impatient world. Especially when it comes to other people. If someone does not live up to our expectations it is easy to write them off. If we disagree with another’s politics it is easy to allow that to create relational distance. We just don’t have much room for disagreements, people who disappoint us, or ministry situations that don’t go our way. I would call our age, an age of impatience.

And yet, patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. That is because patience is part of God’s character. Think for a moment about your own life. You and I know the deficits we have and then think about God’s patience with us. He can wait years, sometimes decades for us to respond to his promptings. He does not force us but He also does not abandon us. He is gentle, patient, loving, and kind. We would be in major trouble if God’s level of patience were the same as ours. Fortunately it is not.

Patience has many facets. In fact, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is all about what it means to be patient. “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” What a beautiful picture of patience. This is not the spirit of our world. This is often not even the spirit in the church. It is the Spirit of God.

Here is the thing about God as it relates to us. He takes a long view of our growth. He puts up with our foolishness without writing us off. He perseveres with us when we fall short. He believes in us when others don’t. He forgives us when we fail. Every time.

Paul says to the Ephesians, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 4:32-5:2). 

At the heart of our impatience with people is often the issue of forgiveness. They fail us in some way. They irritate us. They disappoint us and we don’t do as Christ does and forgive them. Rather, it is easy to allow our irritation to get the best of us or even abandon them. This though, is not the way of Jesus, or the way that He has called us to. The way of the Spirit is kindness, forbearance, forgiveness, compassion and love. That is the foundation of patience. 

Before we pray, think of the individual that you have the hardest time being patient with. With that person in mind, let's pray.

Father, I confess my impatience and I long to be more like You. Would you remind me daily of your patience with me and help me through your Spirit to be more patient with others. And help me to forgive, live in love, have compassion, and become more like You. Amen.