I read an article recently that argued how difficult it is to be patient these days. Being patient demands a lot from us, especially when we perceive that everyone seems to be speeding in their lanes except for us. In an age of instant-everything, pursuing patience feels like an elusive goal.

It’s worth remembering, then, that patience was among the many attributes by which God chose to reveal Himself: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). Slow to anger is another way of describing divine patience.

We see this perfectly embodied in the way Jesus bears with His weak, slow, and often confused disciples—recorded for all posterity in all four Gospels, no less! It is the same patience that He is imprinting in us by His Spirit. Paul writes, “The fruit of the Spirit is … patience” (Gal 5:22). This means it is not about personality types or merely lessons learned through years of hardship, but something God works in the lives of all His children.

God knows the hard path of patience. He also knows the harder cost of impatience. We need the Spirit’s work in us to remember how patient He is with us. Because when we remember God’s patience toward us, our patience toward others grows as well.

Reflection:

• How does remembering God’s patience with me change my response towards others?
• Where is God challenging me to be patient at the moment?

This devotion is sent weekly to staff during school terms. It has been lightly edited for a general audience.