Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  So says the dictionary. Patience also means putting others needs ahead of our own.  It should be so easy, but our natural inclination is to put ourselves first.  After all, that’s what the world tells us to do.

Even when we love someone so much that we’d do anything for them, we often find it hard to be patient with them.  That old sinful nature gets in the way and we almost instinctively deal with our own feelings and needs first.

Often when I ask God to give me patience in a certain situation, He seems to place another roadblock in my path.  I don’t think He’s doing that to frustrate me, but to fine tune me. Patience comes with waiting and we don’t like to wait.  We want everything right now!

We often carry baggage into a relationship so it’s important to take a good look at our own shortcomings.  Sure it’s good to have a solid self-image, but when you truly love someone, your self-image is now intertwined with theirs.  That person becomes the focus of your life.  When they hurt, you hurt.  When they need help, you long to help them.  When they make sacrifices for you, you want to do the same.  When they struggle to succeed, you become their cheerleader.

Patience must be worked on by all of us and it requires an open mind and strong heart.  It also requires help from God.   Put it on your prayer list.  After all, He’s the most patient of anyone.  He’s still waiting for us to put our complete trust in Him.