Virtues over Vices - Patience

 

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12–17 ESV).

 

Earlier in our devotionals we looked at the virtue of steadfast endurance, a sort of “super-patience.” Today our attention is on the more normal patience we need as we deal with waiting in everyday life. It’s that kind of attitude that is so commonly set aside when things don’t go as well as we’d like, or our schedule gets interrupted by something we simply didn’t anticipate. It’s finishing up your grocery shopping and reaching the check-out are and the only two lanes open are stacked up with folks buying a basket full of groceries and enjoying their conversation with the clerk about the change in weather; or, it’s pulling your car into the gas station only to find the only open lanes have yellow bags over the nozzles since they are wither out of gas or broken. These are the times that simply require “normal patience.”

 

This kind of patience requires practice. It requires the ability to stay calm and collected while waiting or facing frustration, and can be cultivated through mindful practices, shifting your perspective, and accepting what you cannot control. It involves responding to frustrating situations with self-control instead of anger and focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. It’s heartwarming that Paul uses this type of patience to describe Jesus’ waiting before we repent and commit our lives to him. It suggests that Jesus never lost sight of our future in him. He knew he would win us over; it was just a matter of time. So, he was patient, being the best of teachers, even when we insisted on doing things our own wrong way.

 

This passage prompts us not to hide the patience we needed from Christ. We should be open about our sinfulness and repentance and faith so that the patience Jesus had with us will be on full display. And as we share the story of Christ’s patience with us, we will grow in patience and understanding toward others who still need to “believe in him and receive eternal life.” It is an essential virtue to develop!