The Purpose of Patience

When I first surrendered my life to Jesus, a friend told me to never pray for patience—or God would give me more opportunities to practice patience! I heeded her warning, but quickly learned that patience is as necessary as breathing. But since I couldn’t pray for patience, I treaded within the safe boundaries of a generic prayer: Help me, Lord. Then, I prayerfully studied the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit revealed the biblical meaning, purpose, and expression of patience are different from the widely accepted definition of the word.   

According to multiple dictionaries, patience is our ability to accept or tolerate delays, detours, and difficult circumstances without complaining, worrying, or being upset. These definitions place emphasis on our self-reliance, resilience, and our ability to restrain, stuff, or even deny the reality of our God-given feelings. I couldn’t even make it through breakfast living by this definition of patience. 

Discovering God’s Definition of Patience 

In Scripture, many of God’s people demonstrate patience while complaining and processing anxiety, frustration, anger, fear, and even despair. In the Bible, and in my life, I’ve learned that patience isn’t something we feel, have, obtain, or practice in our own strength. As we submit to the Holy Spirit, He transforms the way we think over time. This holy alignment with God’s heart affects how we respond to Him and whatever He has planned for us. Striving and avoiding praying for patience, or any other Christlike characteristic, will never lead to a life that’s fragrant with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). So, what are we to do? 

Jesus said His disciples would need to abide in Him, to live in holy alignment with Him. Jesus also said that we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). When we’re depending on our own strength or desire to live for God, we can’t muster up enough gumption or clock enough hours of practice to make the fruit of the Spirit flourish in our lives. God knows our hearts and thoughts. So, even thinking about one complaint, briefly worrying, or voicing our fears and frustrations would mean we are not patient. None of us would have a chance! But with abounding love and grace, God provides all we need to be holy and to become more like Jesus each day ̶ the Holy Spirit.   

The apostle Paul told the believers in Galatia to “live by the Spirit” and they would “not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:16). Since the Holy Spirit dwells in all who have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, He enables us to desire transformation and empowers us to surrender to Him (vv. 18–22). This is a promise! Paul said all believers in Jesus “are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in” us (Romans 8:9). God gives us all we need to be patient. So, what does it mean when we behave in a manner that is impatient? 

If we were to adopt the dictionary’s definition of patience, we wouldn’t have any hope. But according to Scripture, our hope is in God. He wants us to be sanctified, or set apart as holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3). God gives us a new life the moment we believe Jesus and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). He simultaneously begins the slow and steady work of changing us, so that we want what He wants. Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20–21). In Scripture, God provides a deeper understanding of patience by being patient with us and revealing the purpose of patience through us. 

God Gives Us Patience that Stretches Beyond Personal Growth 

Scripture, including many Psalms, contain testimonies of God’s people praying and praising Him with vulnerability, transparency, and authenticity. In six short verses, the psalmist David showed how God can pull us from the pit of impatience, doubt, frustration, discouragement, or even despair, then place us on the firm foundation of His truth. David prayed: “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). He ranted and even demanded God to act (vv. 2–4).  

In the next breath, David declared his faith: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (vv. 5–6). The Spirit reminds us of God’s faithfulness and compassion toward us, keeping impatience toward Him and others at bay. This may be why so many people run to the book of Psalms when struggling and looking for comfort. However, when we’re physically, mentally, or emotionally weary or overwhelmed, we need more than comfort. We need enduring hope and an eternal purpose that stretches beyond our personal growth and the desire to improve relationships. 

God reveals that enduring hope and eternal purpose through the apostle Paul. Sharing how God ties patience to His mercy, Paul said, “‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ ̶ and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15–16, NLT, emphasis added).  

There are days when I think I have Paul beat at being “the worst of them all.” I’m grateful for the countless times God has been patient and merciful toward me. And I’m relieved that my hope, my patience, and everything else requires me to rely on Him not myself. We can count on God to give us hope because He is our hope. Our patience, then, is an expression of trust and worship, a demonstration of faith. 

God Gives Us Patience with an Eternal Purpose 

We can pray for patience with Spirit-empowered confidence and courage. As believers in Christ in whom the Spirit dwells, we’re not ruled by our ever-changing feelings. We live by faith in our never-changing God. We can extend patience to everyone, especially those who have yet to place their trust in Jesus ̶ the Prince of Peace ̶ because we are fully reliant on the peace of the Holy Spirit’s constant presence.  

The apostle Peter wrote: “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:8–9, NLT). 

Jesus is coming again. Hallelujah! 

In the meantime, our Spirit-empowered patience proclaims that we trust God keeps every promise and answers every prayer with love, as we seek Him, serve Him, and share Him with love. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). When we boldly pray for patience, the Holy Spirit will bless us with more opportunities to be patient in His power and in His presence . . . but not just for the sake of our personal growth or to better our relationships. The purpose of patience is to draw us nearer to God as He transforms us and uses us to share Jesus with others, especially those who require His patience and mercy as much as we do. 

—Written by Xochitl Dixon. Used by permission from the author.

Hear Xochitl’s story on God Hears Her Podcast.