Why Is Patience So Hard?

Patience is one of the hardest Christian virtues to practice, especially when dealing with difficult people and everyday frustrations. In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw explores why patience doesn't come naturally, how God develops it in our lives, and why remembering God's patience toward us can transform the way we respond to others. 

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Transcript

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Be careful praying for patience. You've probably heard that one before. I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. The joke is that if you ask God for patience, He's gonna send traffic jams, long lines, difficult people, and plenty of reasons to practice it. I don't think that's exactly how God works, but I understand why people say it. Patience is hard. When I was younger, I could fly off the handle pretty quickly. Someone cut me off in traffic, I'd get irritated. Somebody kept making the same mistake, I'd lose patience. If things weren't moving as fast as I thought they should, I'd let it bother me. I've gotten better over the years. Not perfect, just better. And believe me, my wife can tell you I've still got some work to do. Most of the patience God asks of us has very little to do with waiting. It has everything to do with people. Think about your coworker who keeps asking the same question, the driver who doesn't notice the light turned green. When you're trying to watch a movie and the people around you are just chatting away, it can unleash the worst in us. Colossians 3 tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and yes, patience. Now, if we're being honest, some people make patience really difficult. But we do it because God has shown those same qualities toward us. When you think about it that way, it's pretty convicting. Think about how patient he's been with you. How many times has he forgiven you? How many times has he patiently taught you the same lesson? And how many times has he loved you when you still had growing to do? When I remember God's patience with me, it's a little harder to justify losing mine with someone else. Patience isn't developed on the easy days. It's developed in the everyday moments when we have a choice. Will I react or will I respond? I'm still learning. Maybe you are too. Father, thank you for your incredible patience with us. Help us remember how gracious you've been every time we're tempted to lose our patience with someone else. Continue shaping us to become more like Jesus. One conversation and one interruption at a time. In Jesus' name, Amen. Every day gives us another opportunity to grow a little more like Christ. If Faith Fuel has encouraged you, I'd love it if you'd leave a rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. It really does help more people discover these weekday devotionals. And if you haven't already, be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. I'm Bob Shaw. Peace and joy.