What does the Bible teach about patience?

from the old testament

• We are called to rest in God's perfect timing, which is beyond our understanding, when we face unfairness and wicked schemes (Psalm 37:7).
• Lamentations 3:25 says, "The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” God’s goodness should engender our trust and help us patiently wait on His timing.

from the new testament

• Our natural response is impatience and frustration, but since we are new creations in Christ, we can practice developing patience (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• The Bible praises patience and lists it as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
• We need God's strength and grace to develop the fruit of patience in our lives (Colossians 1:11).
• Abraham, "having patiently waited, obtained the promise" (Hebrews 6:15). We can follow after his example and patiently wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled, too.
• Hebrews 12:1 says: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We have the strength of God and the hope in His promise to always work in our favor to lean on while we develop the difficult characteristic of patience. Jesus especially exhibited patience when he was led to the cross. The writer of Hebrews gives Jesus as an example for our endurance (verse 2).
• Our trials are opportunities for us to perfect our patience through Christ's support (James 1:2-4).
• James 5:10-11 says, “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” We can look to biblical examples of patient people to exemplify how to persevere during trials.

implications for today

Since patience is not easy, it can feel like our impatience is righteous anger in the face of irritations and trials. While it is human to feel this impatience, we are called to trust in God's divine timing, sovereignty, and love. Specific actions can help us develop patience.

First, we can regularly thank God for His unwavering love and support (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Peter 1:6). Making a habit of doing that helps us to recognize that God is working in our lives even amid trials; without thankfulness, we might focus on the trial rather than the Lord’s blessings during it.

We can also seek His purpose, knowing that there may be many reasons for the hardships we face—such as experiencing them to witness God's redeeming love. Ask God to strengthen your faith and to help you recognize what He intends for you to gain from what you’re experiencing.

Meditating on God's promises is another way to develop patience. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works for the good of those who love Him. We can rest in this promise when we feel stuck in the midst of pain and hardship. We have the strength of God and the hope in His promise to always work in our favor as we develop patience. Romans 2:7 reassures us that, "to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life."