Patience In Faith

vs. restlessness

Taking the time necessary to work through a difficult situation

To practice Patience, I will:

• change the things I can change and accept the things I cannot
• keep trying until I succeed
• make the most of my wait time
• not interrupt
• not complain during delays

How Long until this Ends?

By Rev. Dr. Roger Braun, Retired Methodist Minister, guest columnist

“How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered?” (Jeremiah 12:5) The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah was concerned about a long drought that had ascended upon the country of Israel. Not only was the physical land needing rain, the people needed spiritual revival for the hearts of the people had turned away from their God and God’s teaching and were now in need of God’s Word of mercy. Jeremiah addresses his question to God by asking for a specific answer – how long until this ends? What will be the date? What will be the hour that it ends?

God’s answer to Jeremiah is lengthy and sad. Jeremiah will have to wait until God finishes what God wants from the people. People of faith have known that waiting is part of being faithful. Patience is something people of faith practice quite often. “Be still and wait patiently for the Lord,” (Psalm 37:7) is a verse people of faith learn and memorize early in their faith journey. They know that God is above and beyond time itself and God has a process that we humans aren’t aware of.

Patience is more than just waiting nervously for the doctor’s exam or standing quietly in a long line at the store. Those require a form of patience, yes, but not the patience that requires complete trust that God will complete our need. Patience for people of faith is waiting for God to act and trusting that God knows the best time for that to happen. After all, “Blessed are all who wait for God.” (Isaiah 30:18)

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