“Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.” ― Barbara Johnson

Recently, we talked about “putting on love” that binds several crucial virtues we need to dress in daily. They are essential in our desire to demonstrate unity by loving our neighbor.  So far, we’ve discussed compassion, kindness, humility, & gentleness, so let’s address the final one, Patience. 

It is the most famous one of them all, as many of us have heard the saying, “Patience is a virtue…” 

So, what is patience?  A couple of definitions in the Merriam-Webster dictionary are: 1) bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint and 2) steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.  Although, the best description is the Webster 1828 dictionary: the quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge.

Why is it so important?  Because we will encounter difficult people and some who do not like us, but we are called to love them. Yes, to love the unlovable.  It is about our attitude and the state of our hearts.  So, when we are dealing with challenging people, we need to do it calmly, without complaint, steadfast despite opposition or difficulty, or adversity, and without anger or revenge.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-16 (CEV), we are instructed to “… be patient with everyone. Don’t be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful.”

“Patience is when you’re supposed to get mad, but you choose to understand.” ― Anonymous

As we continue on this Love Walk, I pray that each of us will daily ‘put on love’ and get dressed in patience with God’s help. “You are being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you might patiently endure everything with joy.” – Colossians 1:11 (ISV)

Thank you for your time. Be Blessed… LR Maddox
Note: On Facebook, get notified once new entries are posted by following Author LR Maddox and then turning on “notifications”. The direct Facebook link can be found on the Contact page or at the bottom of this page.