What is Patience?

Quality of one who is patient.
1. Who has patience ('virtue'); serene, resigned.
2. Who knows how to wait; calm.

What does the Bible say about patience?

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The term 'longsuffering' can also be defined by extension of meaning as patience and resignation with which adversity, setbacks, difficulties, etc. are endured. Therefore, the tribulations and setbacks we face can help us develop patience, not because of the adversity itself, but because we seek divine help to console us, guide us and strengthen our faith. The Bible says in Romans 5:3: "And not only so, but let us also glory in our tribulations; knowing that tribulation produces perseverance." James wrote: "For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:3-4).

Our patience depends on the quality of our personal relationship with God. In Revelation 14:12 the Bible says, "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

The Holy Scriptures teach us that Christians should be patient with one another: "ith all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2). Those who are patient will inherit what they have been promised. The Bible says in Hebrews 6:12, "so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

The genuine Christian also waits patiently for the Coming of the Lord Jesus : "Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. 8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:7-8).

What can you do to be more patient?

1. Take a deep breath and count to 10
   Sometimes you might lose your temper with someone because they said something you did not like, for example sending you a text message or email that sent you into a rage.
   The trend is to respond at the time in a 'counter-attack' format. In these cases, a good technique is to take a deep breath and mentally count to ten.
   This pause helps to eliminate the risk of making a mistake on the first impulse. If possible, wait even longer than that.
   It is usually best to answer such an email, the next day when you are calmer and thinking with reason rather than emotion.
2. Relax
   Do it physical relaxation. For example, stretch, go for a walk and clear your head. Engage in another activity to pass the time.
3. Wait for the right time to decide
   An important suggestion is to wait for your head to cool down before making a decision. Avoid making hot-headed decisions.
   Usually these decisions are based on emotion rather than reason. Having patience, you will decide with a cool head and you can get the best results.
4. Realize what makes you lose your temper
   Is it when your boss tells you to do that task you hate? Is it when your child screams to ask for something?
   Knowing what makes you lose your temper helps you to prepare and think about how you will act the next time it happens.
5. Build confidence based on the your history
   Try to remember other times you needed patience and the positive results of bidding your time.
6. Think big
   Is this a really big problem? Will I care about it a week, a month, a year from now?
   Most likely you will realize that the reason for your impatience is not all that important.
   If it is something important, like a request from the your boss, think that now you have to do it, but the reward comes in another way.
7. Visualize
   Now that you know in advance what makes you angry, visualize that situation happening next time. Then think about what you will do to act calmly.
   Let's say you get irritated when it's your turn to do the dishes. Think about whether it really makes sense to get angry.
   What are you going to say at the time? How are you going to act?
   Perhaps thinking in advance you will see that what is really taking your patience actually has its reason for being.
   For example, you may realize that you really should contribute by washing the dishes and that should no longer be a reason to lose your temper.
8. Leave it alone
   There are certain things that do not change. They simply are what they are. It does not matter how much you scream or freak out. So sometimes the best behavior is just to let it go.
   In other words, forget about it because what the saying goes, problem that has no solution, is solved.
9. Patience pays off
   Know that certain things take time to come but if you are patient enough you will get the reward. Patience is a virtue that pays for itself.
   You invest now with patience and, in return, you have a better chance of receiving what you set out to expect.
   As Einstein said, "It is not that I am so smart, I just work at problems longer." In other words, with patience you can achieve great results.