Say, “I am patient.”
Those are the words I tell my 4-year-old as she keeps sighing and pouting about having to wait five more minutes for her mac and cheese to cool down. The reality is, I need to tell myself that even more times a day than she does!
I’m sure you can relate to feeling frustrated when something feels slow. Maybe it’s a person taking longer than you expected, a response that doesn’t come when you need it, or a situation that won’t move forward no matter what you try.
In those moments, I start wishing everything would speed up. I want people, plans, or even God to move faster. Can you relate?
Maybe you’ve also snapped at someone and then felt a little guilty about it, wondering why it’s so hard to be patient.
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, which means it’s something God grows in us and not something we create on our own. And if we’re honest, that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, intention, and probably more effort than we want.
Patience Is a Process
The world gives us all kinds of reasons to feel rushed. Fast food, self-checkout, microwaves, and social media—our culture tends to nurture a “right now” mentality. But what happens when we aren’t in control of the timing?
- When we don’t get answers right away
- When plans fall through
- When people don’t change as quickly as we hoped
- When the small delays of everyday life start to pile up
What should we do? We can take a step back. We can remember we’re not in control of everything. And we can turn to the One who is. At all times, we can be confident that God’s plans and timelines are perfect. The Apostle Paul, a biblical author, says,
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25 NIV
That kind of patience shows up in both the big, uncertain moments and also the small, daily ones.
So what—or who—is it that you are trying to rush?
Maybe it’s an answer to a medical test you just had done or a response to whether you got the job. Or maybe it’s your kid, the one you’ve already told six times to put on their shoes and who is now making you late for a meeting.
When Patience Feels Impossible
One year ago, our daughter was hospitalized with a rare infection. We didn’t know how it happened. We didn’t know why. And we didn’t know what would happen next. How do you have patience in a moment like that, when every part of you is desperate for answers, results, and outcomes that just aren’t coming fast enough?
Active patience is recognizing I’m not in control, responding with grace, and trusting God with what I can’t change.
Whether you’re waiting for life-changing news or just waiting for your kid to finish tying their shoes, you can choose active patience. Active patience is recognizing I’m not in control, responding with grace, and trusting God with what I can’t change.
As followers of Christ, we have faith in things we hope for and in things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). And that faith anchors us, because we know that God’s purpose and plans for our lives don’t depend on our timeline.
How to Practice Patience
While we waited for answers about our daughter, we could have just sat around, but we chose to practice active patience. How?
- We prayed for patience.
- We studied the Bible for examples of God’s faithfulness.
- We asked questions of God and trusted friends.
- We reached out to our community and church for support.
So what does active patience look like for you?
‘I Am Patient’
A life cultivating the fruit of the Spirit and living with active patience doesn’t guarantee a life of ease, but it does promise purpose. Paul reminds us,
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV
The “harvest” may not look the way you imagined, but don’t miss this truth: something is still growing in you.
So the next time you feel weary, frustrated, confused, or impatient—whether in the big moments or the small ones—remind yourself: “I am patient.” Not because it comes naturally, but because as a follower of Christ, the fruit of the Spirit is alive in you.