Developing Patience

Colossians 3:12-14

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. NIV Bible Gateway.com

    On any given day, we may encounter frustrating people and situations. We may feel like lashing out, but God wants us to stay calm and be patient with everyone (1 Thess. 5:14). And in fact, there are a number of reasons we should devolop patience:
   OUR CALLING. Through once alienated from the Lord, we have been made part of His family through Jesus' shed blood. As God's children, we're called to live a life worthy of Him - one that is characterized by humility, gentleness, and patience (Eph. 4:1-3). 
   BIBLICAL TEACHING. Scripture tells us to be tolerant of one another, bearing each other's burdens and responding with kindness (Gal. 6:1-2).
    JESUS' EXAMPLE. The Lord demonstrated patience toward Peter's impetuous actions, the crowd's demands, and the leaders' false accusations. We are to cultivate an attitude of patience and love towards others.
   HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. Our impatience can hurt others and close off dialogue. Responding calmly gives room for the other person to confess wrondgoing, explain an attitude, and make changes.
   GOD'S APPROVAL. The apostle Paul wrote that we are to be joyful in hope and patient in affliction (Rom. 12:12). When we quietly endure our suffering, we find favor with the Lord (1 Pet. 2:20).
   The Holy Spirit is conforming us to Christ's image. As we cooperate with Him, He will develop in us the ability to persevere - without becoming agitated - when waiting or provoked. A calm demeanor in times of delay or adversity can be a powerful witness to the transforming work of God.
 Stanley, Charles F. "Developing Patience." In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living August 2016. Atlanta: In Touch Ministries. page 17.