The virtue of patience

But those who wait on the LORD 
      Shall renew their strength; 
      They shall mount up with wings like eagles, 
      They shall run and not be weary, 
      They shall walk and not faint Isaiah 40:31

The benefits of waiting
I am the kind of person that thinks a lot. When I am in group settings, I always stay quiet so that I can listen with my ears, mind and heart. It is also a lot of fun just hearing all sorts of things that go on in people’s minds or what their perspective on things is. In my journey to become extremely patient I’ve learned some things:

a) The more patient we are, the more prudent we become. We learn not to rush things. It helps us prepare for the worst, whether it’s indirectly or directly. The simplest yet most profound things come from the mouth of those who take time to think about the right things to say at the right time.

b) We become more optimistic. This is something you just can’t help! The beauty about seeing the brighter side of life is that, because you believed it, things do eventually turn out to get better (Rom 8:28), and you understand very well that you can never go through anything so bad in your life because someone else would have experienced so much worse, every time.

c) We get the best of things more often than not. I love to say, “The best things in life are worth waiting for.”

d) We see what others don’t see. This is a valuable trait because it is part of being optimistic. When one sees potential failure, you see opportunity. When someone thinks they are loser, you believe in their greatness and help them understand that becoming great is something worth treasuring and fighting for. You also get to see the hurting more often than before.

e) We realize more of who we are. Someone said, “It’s not what you wait for (that matters), it’s who you become while you wait.” You observe well and get to learn things about yourself and others in the process.

f) We become a great source of encouragement. A friend of mine was hurt because she was not able to understand the behaviour of a friend of hers. All I did was listen and remain quiet. After she finished speaking she thanked me and commented on how I was a good listener. More often than not that is all it takes.

g) We become more understanding. Yes this does mean sometimes compromising. Since you would have taken time to think about the heart of the matter, you come to acknowledge that maintaining relationships is more important than winning arguments or being right, especially when you really are! People long to be understood. Patient people seek first to understand. Such people are rare in this world.

Why is waiting so hard
I believe that in addition to this fast-paced, instant-gratification Information Age that discourages slowing down, we simply would not have developed the habit of being patient. I personally find it senseless for someone to have divided patience. For example how can you be patient for your favorite program and not for your meal after you order it? Being patient requires the effort to wait in, through and for all things. I have come up with a few ways to be more patient:

1) Decide to change. The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one. If you don’t, how are your going to solve it? It is humbling but soothing.

2) Develop the habit. Now we cannot blame it on our parents for not raising us to be patient, neither can we blame it on anyone else or circumstances. If genes are the cause for your short fuse, you have to unlearn that. I admit it, I’m guilty of it myself. This is why I wanted to change that so much. When I saw who I was becoming, I was disappointed.  I am doing the best I can now to learn patience and cherish it. You can too.

3) Take it one step at a time. They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the firs t step. Go ahead and take that step. Be thankful for every moment you have to be patient. If you are waiting for someone, be at peace with yourself. If it’s a delivery or order, stay peaceful. It is a vital key to obtaining and maintaining patience.

4) Believe that you are already patient. That is all you need to do, after which you just follow through! Do not be envious but rather encouraged by those who are already patient.

 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone 1 Thess 5:14