Weekly Devotional: Practicing Patience

woman waiting patiently in airport smiling

God shared with us in Scripture the importance of patience. We should not be rash and hasty in our decisions, but we should instead seek Him for guidance and be patient. There may be seasons in our life where we need to practice patience. 

In the Waiting

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
— James 5:7NIV

Patience is to trust in God in the waiting, even when things don’t happen in the way or at the time we expect. Just as a farmer waits for crops to grow, we too must wait and trust in God’s plan and timing. He promises us patience to grow in our faith, knowing that God is worth the wait.

We don’t have to practice patience in the big moments, but we can practice it every day. For example, we can practice while waiting in traffic, handling conflicts or even waiting for an answer to a prayer. Each moment is a great opportunity to grow in our faith and as a person.

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8:25NIV

Every time we choose to be patient, we’re reflecting the good character of God. Patience allows us to rest in His perfect timing and embrace the life He’s shaping for us. As we wait for His answers and His plan to unfold, we can be confident that God is using these moments to grow our character and deepen our relationship with Him.

We can practice patience by slowing down, taking deep breaths and remembering that God is with us in the waiting.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3NIV
 
Have a Patient Heart and Mind
Grand Canyon University is dedicated to helping the GCU community in practicing patience.

 

Approved and verified accurate by the local outreach coordinator of the Department of Spiritual Life on Jan. 13, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.