The Bible Is Filled with References to Patience and God’s WillĬolossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by Him to “great endurance and patience,” while James 1:3-4 encourages us to know that trials are His way of perfecting our patience. At work, at home, with your kids, with your neighbor. We are given opportunities on a daily basis to practice it. In other words, patience isn’t just one fundamental characteristic, it’s robust and complex and fuels our faith. This calls on the strength of humility, self-control, and generosity. How many times can you remember your mother or father simply telling you, “Be patient.” So, what is so virtuous about not complaining? To be patient is to endure discomfort without complaint - to endure hardship. It is a characteristic that is developed and refined over time since the day we were born. Waiting without complaint is no easy task. In the Bible, patience is persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. They also ran the race patiently by persevering through difficulties. They ran to complete the race to the best of their abilities and gave it their all. They ran with endurance and perseverance. The word translated as “patience,” in this verse, means “endurance.” Notice here, the athletes didn’t take a leisurely stroll or run at half their ability. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Quiet, steady perseverance even-tempered care diligence.Īlthough most individuals consider patience to be a passive, waiting, or gentle tolerance, most of the Greek words translated as “patience,” in the New Testament, are active, vigorous words.Ĭonsider, for example, Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.An ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.But as with most virtues, the biblical writers assume that we know what patience is and don't give an explicit definition. So, there's no disputing that God wants us to be patient. For example, you and your boss are the same age but the reason she is your boss is because she worked harder when the opportunity arose, therefore, she reaped the benefits of being in a management position. The phrase doesn’t actually mean being patient but, instead, working hard when the opportunity arises. Other than this, there are no written references regarding the proverb’s origin. The poem was published at the beginning of the 20 th century. The phrase first appeared in her poem Tout vient a qui sait attendre in the same words. The phrase is originally from an old English proverb “all things come to those who wait.” This may have originated from a poem by Lady Mary Montgomerie Currie, who used to write under her pseudonym, Violet Fane. Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left behind by those who hustle -Abraham Lincoln In fact, that’s not even the whole quote. Is it true that good things come to someone who waits? What does it even mean to wait? And for how long? Why would we be rewarded with good things? There is no Scriptural basis for this quote whatsoever. But as I’ve begun to examine the phrase, I wondered if it was truly from the Bible or a reference from something else. I’ve even said it to my children in passing when they wanted dessert sooner, a toy, or time on the Xbox. I never really understood the quote and why so many people used it as if it were a part of our “Christianized” language. If I had a dollar for every time I heard these things, especially the latter, well, you know.
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