Patience is not only about enduring a long wait, it is also about enduring insults, provocation, and mistreatment without resentment, anger, or bitterness. Why put up with abuse? Because patience is also an expression of compassion. Because we are compassionate, we tolerate the faults of others. Because we are strong and they are weak, we accept their abuse with a smile and wish them well.
Buddhists commonly refer to patience as armor that protects the compassionate person from the barbs and verbal attacks of others.
Interestingly, Leonardo Da Vinci had a similar idea, he wrote, "Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will be powerless to vex your mind."
Interestingly, Leonardo Da Vinci had a similar idea, he wrote, "Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will be powerless to vex your mind."
Almost all violence stems from anger, and patience often has the power to neutralize it. So, patience is a tool of the peacemaker.
Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (NKJV). Does one run a race by passively waiting for slow-pokes or gently tolerating cheaters? No! Patience here means “endurance.” A Christian runs the race patiently by persevering through difficulties. 
Patience is something I have to learn! I love the quote.
ReplyDeleteI have learned to be more and more patient over the years. It takes a lot to "get to" me. I always try to put myself in the other person's shoes and wonder what is going on in their day that makes them rude, or unkind, or miserable. Good post! xo Diana
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This is a great post Marti. I struggle with patience everyday. Somedays I win, somedays I vow to try harder.
ReplyDeleteIn our prayer group of young mothers we were weary of praying for patience..because the only sure way of gaining patience is through practice!!
ReplyDeleteI never pray for patience. Dangerous! And I do not tolerate abuse any longer either. Abuse not discourtesy. Discourtesy can be tolerated with patience. Abuse is another thing altogether. Very thought-provoking post!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post ... I especially love the part about having a good attitude while waiting. It's hard enough to wait ... but to maintain a good attitude while waiting ... well, let's just say that's a lesson that I am still learning. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSome days I have a lot and some days not enough. A lot depends on how much sleep I get to be honest with you. sandie
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