PatienceSample

Taking hold of hope

A quick search will tell you that patience means: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.

Yikes. Let’s just call it. Sometimes the practice of ‘patience’ stinks!

I’m so grateful for a heavenly Father who understands the human heart, and the beautiful tension in calling us to ‘accept or tolerate delay’ in a world that’s wired us for annoyance and anxiety with instant results, 24-hour news and everyone sharing their ‘truth’ in real time.

We receive encouragement through the psalms: ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me’ (Psalm 51:10 NLT). ‘Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! ... those who trust in the Lord will possess the land’ (Psalm 37:7–9 NLT).

Verses like these (and so many others) serve as an anchor for our souls, giving us hope to hold onto while we wait, helping us to foster patience as a practice in our lives, and building resilience for the moments when life’s timeline just doesn’t line up with our expectations.

Written by NATALIE BENNETT