"Patience is not simply the ability to wait, it's how we behave while we're waiting." —Joyce Meyer, American Clergy
Some things take time. No truer words have been spoken. This lesson was not impressed on many of us. We were told things should come fast and easy, especially if it's "from God." When the rock group Queen sang, "I want it all! and I want it now!" they aptly described us. So we become disappointed, even angry when we have to wait. We joke that the thing Christians avoid praying for most is PATIENCE—the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. I'm not sure if our first priority is dodging the wait, evading the trouble, or bypassing our emotions...but we seem to instinctively know that patience's root pati in Latin means suffering and delay.
I'm in awe of endurance athletes. No matter if they're warm climate Triathletes, climbing a mountain peak, or cold weather skiers navigating snow banks: the power to endure unpleasant or difficult climates and situations without giving way is amazing. The satisfaction is reaching the zenith or crossing the finish line of a marathon. The number of times they've thought of quitting is probably high. Paul wrote to the Church in Rome that they should, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12) For them, patient endurance was not a sport, it was a matter of life and death.
Patience as a fruit of the Spirit enables us to suffer long with people without getting angry or seeking retribution, Greek makrothumia. It also enables us to bear up under and endure difficult circumstances, Greek hupomenó. The old folks used to sing, "You can't hurry God. You just have to wait. You have to trust Him and give Him your time...no matter how long it takes. He's a God, you can't hurry. He'll be there, don't you worry. He may not come when you want Him but He's right on time." We want the LORD to fix our situations immediately. Though God, the ruler of the universe, is never late, at times it seems He's moving at a snail's pace.
The LORD recently informed me one of my problems was impatience. After getting over my shock, I "reminded" Him just how long I'd been waiting. But patience is not just the length of time your desire hasn't happened, it's also your attitude throughout. I'll admit being on a dispositional/emotional rollercoaster. Jesus told His disciples, "By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls." (Luke 21:19)
Our mind, will, emotions, and decisions are all affected by how patient we are, or are not. Guards at Buckingham Palace are trained to endure insult, injury, and indignity while they stand faithfully to protect the Monarchy. Nothing can dissuade them to leave their post or fail to fulfill their duty. When things are difficult for us, we are tempted to throw in the towel, go AWOL, or flee. The writer of Hebrews described our deficiency in those moments, "For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised." (Hebrews 10:36, AMP) So, don't be weary in well doing, in due season you will reap if you don't give up, cave in, and quit. (Galatians 6:9) Wait on the LORD! | 
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