The old adage “patience is a virtue” is quite an understatement. Patience is an art. A skill. A goal. Patience is easier advised than exercised. I’ve learned (the hard way) that to be patient is necessary to prevent becoming a patient.
As difficult as it is, we would do well to be the adjective as opposed to the noun.
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able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.“be patient, your time will come”
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a person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.
Everyone has had to wait for something. Some of us are currently waiting for something: a mate, a job, a promotion, an opportunity, a brighter day, graduation, relief, healing, a movie or book release, the birth of a child, a wedding date, a check. Waiting is sometimes excruciating.
Waiting is mandatory. How we wait is optional. Being anxious, angry, and annoyed don’t decrease the wait time. If patience is a virtue then impatience is a vice. Impatience is the breeding ground for anxiety, worry, discontentment, and stress; all of which lead to emotional and physical affliction.
Today I want to encourage you to count, recite a favorite quote or verse, sing or play music, pray, read or write, do whatever is needed to help you patiently wait for fill-in-your-blank. The more dire the situation, the harder it is to exercise patience- believe me- I know. As a person who is in a desert season right now I can attest to the fact that not being patient can result in you becoming a patient. I want better for you.
My sincere desire is that you “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NIV)