Developing patience
Here, then, are several ways to develop godly patience.
Keep your eye on the overall goal. All of us are forced to deal with trials and problems. When we're trying to reason with unconverted mates or striving to please unfair bosses or struggling to make financial ends meet, it's sometimes hard to keep our minds on our ultimate destiny — birth into God's Family and co-ruler-ship, with Jesus Christ, of the universe.
But that's exactly what we must do — keep our minds on that great, overall goal. James wrote that Christians should focus on, and conduct their lives in expectation of, Christ's Second Coming and the Kingdom of God:
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. . . . Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (Jas. 5:7-8).
The most important thing on God's mind right now is the restoration of His government to this earth and the eventual establishment of His Kingdom throughout the universe. And that has always been His goal. But consider that a thousand years to God is like a mere day (Ps. 90:4) — consider the great patience of God! We are to emulate that patience in constantly looking forward to God's Kingdom .
" For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry" (Hab. 2:3).
Think before you act. There is an old saying that "fools rush in where angels fear to tread." A person who jumps to conclusions is likely to end up at the bottom of a cliff.
Your husband or wife made an unkind remark to you? Don't snap back with something you'll later be sorry you said. Rather, concentrate on glorifying God. You're sick and tired of standing in line at a church function or at the Feast of Tabernacles? Occupy your mind with something else! Don't dwell on your consternation about the long line, or you'll end up saying or doing something that will set a wrong example of God's way of life.
Concentrate on giving. Impatience is many times rooted in selfishness.
Paul said, "Be patient toward all men" (I Thess. 5: 14) — the slow bank teller, the small child who can't understand an instruction, the rude gas station attendant, the person who drones on and on with the most boring story you ever heard.
Overlook the shortcomings of others (you may have a few of your own). Forget yourself and be concerned with their welfare. "The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit" (Eccl. 7:8).
Sincerely love the other person and look upon him as a future God — it will drastically change your perspective.
Talk out tensions. Does a mate, a fellow employee or a friend have an annoying habit that is about to drive you up the wall? Well, if you simply cannot overlook it any longer, tell the person about it and talk out your feelings.
In almost every case, the other person will not have even realized his habit bothered you, and will make an effort to stop, if you approach him with tact, meekness and sincere concern.
Ask God to grant you favor in his eyes. Don't let the impatience and resentment build up inside you until you explode into rage or retaliate some way — you would certainly not be setting an example of godly self-control or patience then.
Rely on God for strength. Our Father in heaven is the very God of patience, and He can help you have a mind like His (Rom. 15:5). When you think you're at the end of your rope — you just can't grin and bear it any longer — ask God for more of His Holy Spirit — His strength.
Pastor General Herbert W. Armstrong has always glorified God as the source of his continued drive and perseverance, referring to God's promise in Isaiah 40:29-31:
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
David wrote, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord" (Ps. 27:14).
God can give you the patience you need to overcome.
An incredible future
If we do wait on God — if we practice godly patience and endure to the end of this age, an incredible future awaits us.
"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God . . . and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Rom. 8:19, 23, Revised Standard Version).
Even God's very creation sets an example of patience for us as it awaits the fulfillment of God's plan of reproducing Himself through us!
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (Isa. 64:4).
Patience is a vitally important commodity in the makeup of the future children of God. We must have godly patience if we are to rule with Jesus Christ!
"For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth" (Ps. 37:9).
Make every effort to build this trait of godly patience into your character — it is necessary if you intend to overcome the trials of this life and endure until Christ's coming.
"[God] will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath" (Rom. 2:6-8).
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Heb. 10:36).