Lord, Give Me Patience (And Do it Now)!
I’ve often been told that praying for patience is a dangerous thing to do. Why? Because God is very likely to answer that prayer by giving us situations that test our patience! Why would he do that if he knows patience is the very thing we’re struggling with? It’s actually because the best way to get stronger in any area of our lives is to work out the muscles (literal or spiritual) that are weak or underdeveloped. You can’t expect to get stronger in one area of your life without being challenged to grow in it.
The Bible talks a lot about patience. I think it’s very significant that patience is listed as one of God’s unchanging qualities in Exodus 34:6; it’s listed as a key characteristic of agape love in 1 Corinthians 13:4; and it’s among the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. My thought is that since it’s one of the only things mentioned in all three of those key lists, it’s clearly a key part of who God us, of how what he’s trying to cultivate in our lives, and of how he wants us to love others.
More About the Word “Patience”
The word “patience” in Galatians 5 (which is sometimes translated “forbearance” or “long-suffering”) comes from the Greek word makrothumia, which is defined in the lexicon as follows:
“1. The state of remaining tranquil while awaiting an outcome, patience, steadfastness, endurance;
2. The state of being able to bear up under provocation, forbearance, patience” (BDAG Lexicon)
Makrothumia (patience) is a compound word in Greek, meaning it contains two separate words that are joined together to form a new meaning. It doesn’t always work to apply the two words literally (for example, a butterfly is not flying butter), but in this instance the combination does convey something important for us to understand.
Makro refers to a long passage of time or a considerable distance.
Thumia refers to intense emotion and passion—and not the pleasant kind.
The combination of these words conveys the idea that a patient person is slow (makro) to anger (thumia). In the spirit of James 1:19, they are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
One author described it this way. Impatient people have a short fuse. The spark lights at the end of the fuse, and the dynamite blow up right away. But patient people have a long fuse. The spark lights, but it doesn’t blow up right away. The long fuse gives you enough time to put out the fire before it ignites the explosives.
Patient people don’t instantly say every harsh word that comes into their mind. They don’t react emotionally. They don’t do something impulsively that they later regret. Instead, they wait for a while so that the intensity of their emotions dies down and they’re able to see the situation more clearly and respond appropriately. The spark might have been lit, but the fuse is long enough that they have time to put it out before it does any damage.
Makrothumia (patience) can also be used as an adjective (a patient person) or a verb (to wait patiently). It conveys two basic ideas, depending on the context: First, being willing to wait for a considerable time while maintaining a positive attitude, and second, a steadfast endurance in the face of adversity or confrontation.
For example, Jesus patiently waited 30 years for the right time to begin his public ministry.
He also showed steadfast endurance in the face of excruciating pain during his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
Both of these are examples of the word translated “patience” or “forbearance” in the Fruit of the Spirit passage.
Examples of God’s Patience
1. Towards Paul:
“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)
2. Towards Peter
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
3. Other Examples:
Romans 2:4, 9:22; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9
The Call to Be Patient People
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
“7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:7-10)
See also 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Colossians 1:11; 2 Timothy 4:2
Patience is a Quality Worth Imitating
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11)
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:12)
See also 2 Corinthians 6:3-6; Hebrews 6:15