Patience – “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset”

• Longsuffering – forbearance. Long-tempered.
• Steadfastness – endurance. To remain under.

• Toward others – people can be difficult!
• Inward – the feelings I harbor while waiting
• Toward God – recognizing His purpose

Cultivate Jesus’ patience by the power of the Holy Spirit!

1. Be ready to wait

Prepare your heart and mind for the wait!

• Committed to work hard
• Understanding the delay
• Valuing the Lord’s purpose
• Fulfilling your responsibility

2. Be uplifting in attitude

WHY are you complaining??
Don’t waste your waiting!
Patience is MORE than waiting… it is done with a positive demeanor!
The Lord Jesus is coming again – and that changes everything!
Patience builds others up! (1 Thess 5:11, 14)

3. Be steadfast with mercy

Steadfast endurance is an essential element of longsuffering!
The Lord purposes to demonstrate His compassion and mercy! (Psalm 103:8)
Be thankful that the Lord is unhurried, because He is patient with us! (2 Peter 3:8-9)
Consider Job’s determination: Job 1:21, 2:10, 13:15, 19:25, 27:1-6)

Reflection questions available here.