“Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” (Joyce Meyer)
Patience is not a subject I typically write about. We have never been great mates. However, as I’ve ‘grown older’, we seem to have developed a cautious detente. Oh, this is not something I brag about, and I try to not let it control my reactions and interactions… quite uncomfortable. It is an attitude and behavior I do believe is important. This is more of a ‘how’ question than a ‘why’.
I do like what Joyce Meyer said – a good attitude while waiting. As I’ve said, waiting isn’t and has never been my strong suit… definitely not a good attitude. The problem is that I (often) fume as I wait – and that accomplishes… right, nada. So how do I cultivate a good attitude while waiting? Do you share this plight and frustration? Probably (?) it’s an issue of who I’m waiting on… or what has to happen before I can move on? Two different, yet related, issues.
And yes, scripture does speak about patience, such as:
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
(Romans 12:12)“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant…” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
“…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” (Ephesians 4:2)
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,” (Colossians 1:11)
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-8)
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
And those are only a few of the scriptures that talk about patience and its need, focus, and place in our lives! Also… look at the variety of situations that require our patience!! Just these few scriptures indicate why we need patience, what we do during them (example: bearing with one another in love), etc. But the bottom line is that it IS something we do.
Truly, the issue isn’t about patience, though that is the focus, but what we are to do as we are being patience. We need to understand that it is always for our benefit. But – it can also be an attitude we cultivate when we are in situations requiring patience because we can’t control other people or their actions. Granted, we may be involved but we don’t have to act as martyrs or get upset. Rather than fuming, what can we do? How can we improve our attitude?
No easy answer. But our attitude is precisely that – our. We can control this rather than simply giving in to frustration. The next time you find yourself in a waiting on others or things situation – try and learn from it. We all have coping mechanism we turn to so why not develop patience mechanisms? The more we actually employ (fill in the blank) the more we are in control of the situation… even if that only means our attitude.
Attitudes are personal. We chose them and reject others… and they are always ‘ours’. The only way they change is when we decide and act on their ‘place’ and influence. No one can ‘make’ you accept an attitude – you are always in control.
