This week I read Psalm 40:1, which says: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” This verse speaks volumes about the difficult discipline of patience. In our fast-paced world, waiting can feel like a burden, yet it is in these moments that God shapes and molds us, building our character and faith.
If we’re honest, we know that patience is a virtue that many of us struggle with. We live in what I often refer to as an internet society, where we expect to have immediate answers, instant relief, and quick solutions. This often creates tension when we realize that God operates at His own speed.
I’ve heard it said that God is never early and never late, His timing is always perfect. God is patient and thankfully His patience with us is boundless. His desire is to help us learn to patiently wait upon Him, because He knows that patience is a sign of spiritual maturity.
In James 1:4, it says: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This verse reminds us that through patiently enduring whatever comes our way, we grow and develop into the people God intends us to be. When we wait on the Lord, we open ourselves to experiences and lessons that we might otherwise miss. It’s often in these times of waiting that God speaks to us, teaches us, and strengthens our faith.
Isaiah 40:31 provides another powerful reminder of the benefits of waiting on the Lord: “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” This verse illustrates that waiting on God renews our strength and prepares us for the journey ahead.
A great illustration of patience can be seen in the growth of a garden. A gardener plants seeds and waits weeks or months for them to sprout, grow, and bear fruit. The process cannot be rushed: it requires time, care, and patience. Similarly, our spiritual growth often involves periods of waiting and nurturing, during which God works within us, bringing about His purposes in our lives.
Patience is not a passive waiting but an active trust in God’s timing and wisdom. And we need to remember that patience is part of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5—which means we receive patience from the Lord. So, when we struggle to have patience, the starting point is asking God to help develop it in our lives.
And as we learn to wait on the Lord, we discover the depth of His love, the perfection of His plans, and the strength that comes from relying on Him. May we learn to be people who embrace patience as a testament to our faith in God’s unfailing promises.
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