I Don't Have Time for Patience

We need to extend the patience to others that we desire from God.

Pounding my finger on the icon five times in a row still didn’t open the app.

I have no patience for anything less than the phone screen responding instantly.

We expect everything to happen quickly; when it doesn’t, we get impatient.

How did society get to the point where people feel it’s their right to receive everything they demand instantaneously?

Does this sound familiar? My fingers tapped my wallet as I waited for the person ahead of me to finish at the self-checkout station. They were slowly hunting for the barcode on each item.

It was my turn. After I let out a sigh, I started scanning my purchases. The credit card machine beeped at me while the screen flashed “invalid transaction.” I now needed some grace from the person waiting behind me as I flagged an employee for assistance.

We expect patience from everyone else but find little to give to others.

As Christians, we are to be different than the world. Our hearts have been changed and filled with the Holy Spirit.

This is outlined in Galatians 5. Paul lists the fruits of the spirit, which make up a godly character.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a (NASB 1995)

It is easier to be patient when we have empathy and compassion for others. It requires us to think outside ourselves when we can’t get everything we want exactly how we want it or when we want it. It requires flexibility.

When was the last time you appreciated the patience of a driver behind you when searching for an unfamiliar address?

On the flip side, how patient were you with the driver ahead of you when time was short and they were going slower than the speed limit?

We often desire patience from God. Thankfully, God is slow to anger. He is full of compassion and mercy. (Psalm 145:8-13)

By showing others the patience we desire from God, we reflect the Savior’s love.

Dear Lord, help me to extend the patience you give me to others in my path today.