The dictionary defines patience as “the ability to wait for a long time without becoming annoyed or upset.” If you have a toddler at home then you know how easily they can make you lose your patience. If you are a teacher dealing with toddlers, my prayers are with you. Toddlers usually make you lose your patience on a daily basis. What about other situations in your life? Do you have the patience to deal with things that take a long time?

If you look in the bible you will see many examples of God building character in his people by teaching them to be patient. Abraham and Sarah had to wait 25 years before they had Issac. The Israelites had to wander in the desert for 40 years before they finally reached the promised land. Joseph was sold as a slave and had to wait 13 years before God made him second in command to Pharoah. David waited nearly 15 years from the time He was anointed to actually becoming the king. Jesus himself had to wait 30 years to start his ministry before He became the savior of all mankind.

Romans 8:25 says “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” This is seen all through the bible, we see God making people wait before they got what they were promised. God wants us to build character before we get what we were promised.  If God has something planned for you and it is taking a long time to come to fruition, you have to give it time. You have to learn to be patient. He wants us to be mature and ready to handle that which He has in store for us.

Romans 12:12 says “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Until we receive what God has in store for us we have to put our trust in him, keep praying and be patient.