God, Give Me Patience

Horace, the Roman poet and satirist, once said, “It is hard! But what can not be removed, becomes lighter through patience.” It is true that we all struggle with impatience from time to time.

As Christians, it is imperative to develop the virtue of patience in our lives. Peter tells us it is something we should give diligence to develop. (2 Peter 1:5ff.) The story of the tortoise and the hare, which we learned when we were growing up, taught us not only that endurance is necessary for success in life, but so is patience. The Bible confirms the truth that patience has its rewards. James 5:10-11 says, “As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and merciful.”

Perhaps you have seen the need to pray for the same things that I have. I have prayed for patience with my work. “God, give me patience to finish what I have started. Give me patience to redo a job if I did not do it right the first time. Give me patience to endure when the work is hard. Give me patience to press on through the periods of monotony.”

I have prayed for patience with people. “God, give me patience not to be irritated or annoyed at others. Give me patience to be kind and not to lose my temper. Give me patience with my coworkers, employers, and employees. Especially give me patience with my spouse, my children, and my relatives.”

I have also prayed for patience with other aspects of life. “God, give me patience when I am tired or sick or filled with stress. Give me patience when my hopes and dreams are not realized immediately. Give me patience when things don’t seem to work right. Give me patience not to be bitter when I am disappointed. Give me patience not to complain when I am delayed or inconvenienced.”

Virgil, another Roman poet, said, “Every misfortune is to be subdued by patience.” My prayer to our heavenly Father is “God, please give me patience to handle my work, people, and life in general, the way Your Son, Jesus, did!”

Ronaldo Ricardo Guzmán