I cringed when I looked up the definition of patience in the dictionary.
The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset.” Or “the quality of being patient, as bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain without complaint, loss of temper, irritation or the like.
Yikes! I know I have some work to do in this area of my life.
Recently when confronted with some situations I knew would require patience, I had to remember to apply this familiar verse.
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James:1:4
Have you ever tried looking at stress as an opportunity rather than a hindrance? Share on X
As I studied James 1:4, I realized I have a choice. I could allow stress and trials to produce a sinful reaction or I could allow it to develop patience in me.
How do we allow patience to have its perfect work in us? Share on X
See testing as a tool that helps learn patience
Instead of stressing and fretting over the problem, try and see the problem as a tool providing a means to an end. The testing can be, in fact, a gift to increase my spiritual maturity—a process I could go through in order to allow patience to mature in me.
The greek word for patience is hypomone (G5281). It’s derived from the words hypo (G5259) meaning under and meno (G3306) meaning to remain.
Believers are “to remain under” or “bear up under” their trials. The testing of our faith produces hypomone.
This is a quality I want! And I can have it by allowing the stress to be a tool to develop patience rather than an excuse to sin.
Recognize anger as a symptom of impatience
When I have a short fuse with my kids, it’s often because I’m feeling stressed and impatient over other issues going on. Impatience and anger go hand-in-hand. Learn to recognize anger as a symptom of impatience.
Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is patient has great understanding,
But one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
Am I being selfish?
Impatience is the symptom of eyes turned inward. Share on X
When life gets overwhelming and my focus turns inward, I find it difficult to notice those around me. I’m busy. Self-absorbed. Hyper-focused on my to-do list. When I’m impatient I need to ask myself if I’m being selfish. And many times the answer to that question is yes! I’m only thinking about my needs. My list. My time table.
Seek God
Proverbs 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience.
Wisdom yields patience. Seeking God will give us wisdom and in turn, we’ll learn to be patient. We can seek the Lord through prayer, Bible Study, worship and being still before Him. Perhaps you have been taking on too many responsibilities. Wisdom helps us know when to say no, be able to let go of perfection, slow down and enjoy the journey.
Be still and don’t fret
I don’t have to wait until the problem is solved to be still.
I don’t have to wait until my to-do list is done to be still.
I can be still while completing a task.
You can be still on the inside even when life is moving fast on the outside. Share on X
Psalm 37:7-9
Be still before the Lord
And wait patiently for him;
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Be still. You don’t have to finish everything to be still. Tell yourself that you will not get angry or fret about the situation. Say, “I will wait with patience.”
Remember: God provides the strength to be patient
God provides the strength to be patient. Share on X
Sometimes I feel powerless to change. I could give up by saying I’m just an impatient person as if it’s a personality trait I can’t change. But it’s a character issue. I can change it with God’s help. God gives us the power to live out the fruits of the Holy Spirit. God’s power strengthens and equips us to be patient.
Peter admonishes believers in 2 Peter 1:2-4 that God has given us all things that “pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”
V.5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.
Instead of cringing when I feel impatience brewing inside of me, I find hope knowing that patience is possible and God gives me the strength to be patient if I allow trying situations to become a tool to mold me instead of an excuse to sin.
What areas are trying your patience today? How can you allow patience to have its perfect work in you? I would love for you to share in the comments.
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
Thank you so much for this message. It means a lot to me. Very timely as I sit here alone with my 20 year marriage in shambles, my husband and protector gone. Why? Because of my impatience. I thought I was patient. I have tried to always cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit in my life. To make it evident to people. I thought I had patient down pat. Give me a long line to stand in and I’ll do it. Give me a little bad tempered child, I’ll do it. Wait patiently while your husband catches up to you spirtually. That’s harder. I didn’t. And it wasn’t hard not to have patience with him. He never had any patience with me or anybody else. So, that’s ok, right? Wrong.
So, from your post I have realized that my patience is not perfect. And I want patience to have her perfect work in me. So I will wait patiently on the Lord. And know that He is trying to help me through this. Understanding of why a thing is happening makes it easier to deal with.
Keep up the good work!
Sheri, I’m so sorry for what you are going through. It must be so hard. I think we can allow patience to have it’s perfect work in us because it’s by the Holy Spirit’s power that enables us. But because we are sinners, we will never be fully perfect in patience but we can certainly allow Jesus to do His perfect work in us. And Jesus came not only to help us love others but to forgive us when we mess up. His grace covers us and sets us free from condemnation. We can forgive ourselves and accept His grace and learn to give that grace to others. Not easy though. You’re not alone, Sheri. I’m praying for your marriage. Thank you for sharing your heart here.
This was teaching was right on time for me. God just spoke James 1:4 to me this afternoon and after reading this article I now have understanding and insight on what God was trying to get me to understand. This was really like a stream in the dessert for me. Thank you for sharing your life experiences and lessons. I know it won’t be easy but through your teaching I at least have a spirit led game plan for patience.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I always love hearing how the Lord ministers to others and I’m glad this post was insightful for you. Whatever you are facing, I pray God will give you the strength you need. I’m praying for you.
This is such great comfort for me since patience is something I wish I had more of and often pray for… Coming to terms that most of the time my impatience is a sign of my eyes turned inward is SO true! Thankful for your reminder that with God we have the strength to be patient… Great Post!
I’m so glad this encouraged you. I’m so thankful for God’s grace as I am a slow learner when it comes to patience. He keeps on perfecting its work in me.
I totally get the part about focusing on my to do list instead of people when I am stressed and overwhelmed, which feels like basically every day. Thanks for these ideas and thoughts to help with that.
Hi Christa, I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed every day too. Praying that you can find some rest during the holiday break. I know I’m looking forward to a break in the busy sports schedule. Have a blessed day.
I needed to hear these words and be reminded of God’s truth today! I love your post and your site! I am thankful you were my neighbor on the Salt and Light Link-up. I am looking forward to reading more!!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m glad you were my neighbor at the Salt Link up too.
Hello Valerie… I truly enjoyed this lesson on patience. Your format is well done, simple, informative and encouraging. The Lord has been patient with me in teaching this vital characteristic of His love. When I wait, I am able to see His grace in areas, situations and people as He reveals in His perfect time. Thank you for sharing, it warms my soul.
Thank you so much for your kind words Marie! They blessed me.
Great post Valerie!!
I’m one of those persons who turn inward when life gets difficult. Yes in those times it’s easy to be impatient. But I know God uses all opportunities in our life to work on us. So grateful for your post today.
Thank you, Lureta. I’m glad God uses these times to help us to grow too!
God has been doing a big work on patience in me. These are great insights, “I don’t have to wait until the problem is solved to be still.I don’t have to wait until my to-do list is done to be still. I can be still while completing a task.”
Oh Julie, you are so sweet to read this. As you know, my patience has been tested this week with those technical difficulties. I pray I allow the Holy Spirit to do it’s work in me when the problems aren’t solved and the to-do list is a mile long. Hugs!
Wow! Patience definition. I’m a wordy, just looked up condemnation recently. I hear people say when you pray for patience, you get trouble, but it is a fruit of the Spirit, and is in a believer’s heart, it just has to grow.
That’s true! And life sure gives us the opportunity to grow and learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to control our reactions.
Hi Valerie, Thank you so much for encouraging us and reminding us that patience is possible with the Lord’s help. It’s definitely a tough thing – but I’ll treasure all those Scriptures to remind me. Wonderful post!
God isn’t finished with me yet, lol. I’m so glad He gives us the strength.
First of all, that definition is so good and yet so hard to accept! It really hit me between the eyes, since I’m not a very patient person. But I also love, love love your thoughts on this important subject, Valerie! Most of all, I love how you walked us through these important truths with God’s word as our guide. It is a much-needed reminder for us all, but in particular, me! I’ll be reflecting on what you’ve said here all day, my friend! Great post!
I’m with you Beth! This is a hard area for me. And after I wrote this I had many opportunities to allow patience to work in me. It’s a struggle!