Learning Patience Can be Fun

Ever wished you had more patience, but you are afraid to pray for patience because you think God may give you more trials and tribulations to teach you patience? You are not alone. Recently in my Bible studies, God gave me a thought, actually a funny thought, on gaining patience without more trials.

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Now, that we’ve read the verse above and thought of ‘that person’ who seems impossible to live peaceably with, let’s see how that person can helps us – yes help us. Remember we are learning a new-found, fun way to learn patience without trials.

God knows it is difficult to live peaceably with all men, but he gave us a command to try. He said “If it be possible, as much lieth in you…” This means we have to make an effort to see if it is possible to get along with other people.

We have to whole-heartily “try.” That is what “as much lieth in you” means. We can’t just try a little and say, “Oh well, I just can’t get along with ‘that’ person.” We have to sincerely put our heart and soul into trying to get along with others. We won’t know who we can honestly get along with until we genuinely try!

I think God has all our wonderful personalities so different that if we try to obey Romans 12:18 and sincerely work on getting along with others – in the process we will learn patience.

What a great way to learn patience without more trials – just get along with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

II Peter 1:5-7 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”

To make this learning process a bit more fun, I have developed a few personalities that came to me while studying Romans 12:18. Prayerfully they help you smile, laugh, and see where we can learn patience by getting along with others and by living “…peaceably with all men.”

• Wet Wilbur – Just hangs around looking sour, never smiles, and looks as if someone should put them out of their misery. Be friendly to them because inside they enjoy attention and may even need someone to seem caring towards them. Needs a good dose of Sonshine. Maybe they have had a bad day or week. Take the time, have patience, and spread some Sonshine into this person’s life.

• Perky Priscilla – Eyes wide alert, smiling and enjoying life; but they never seem to listen to anything being said by others. Things might have to be repeated to this person, but they will joyfully do whatever is asked. Take the time to be patient with this person and repeat oneself if necessary. This personality will usually reward with smiles and laughter.

• Complaining Cassius – Nothing is ever suitable, correct, or good enough for them. Don’t try to make them happy. It can’t be done. Every once in a while, let them have their way. It will make life easier for everyone. Letting them have their way will make them happy, but don’t expect them to show it. The best thing about these personalities – they will really help others around them learn patience.

• Neutral Naveen – Never has a verbal opinion about anything. Seems genuinely content in life no matter what is going on. Just don’t ask this person “What would you like?” They will probably answer, “Whatever you want.” As long as one doesn’t want this personality to make a decision, this person is easy to get along with. Have patience, occasionally, they may give advice on things and usually it will be sound advice since most of what they have done is listen and compile good thoughts and ideas in their minds.

• Irritable Ivan – Just downright grumpy no matter what others do to help encourage. Don’t ask, “How are you doing?” unless one wishes to hear a long story. Sometimes though, when one wishes to learn patience, let Irritable Ivan talk. Many times, these people have no one to talk to. Life has taken its toll and they just need someone to lend them an ear so they can let it all out. Many times, after letting it all out, one might find this personality quite friendly.

• Gossiping Gemma – “I’m not usually one to say anything about …” Starts many of their conversations. This person most people try to avoid, and we should. Pray for them and have patience that God will work in their lives and show them how sinful this behaviour is. Resist their conversations. Patience can be learned here as one avoids temptation to gossip and learns to be “holy in all manner of conversation.” I Peter 1:15

• Arrogant Anise – So full of themselves but remember “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” 16:28 God will work with them in his timing. In the meantime, have patience with them. Remember, none of us are perfect. We all have our prideful moments and let’s be thankful for God’s mercy on us all. So, let’s have mercy and patience on others as well.

• Perfect Payton – Does everything correct. Dresses right, talks right, and walks right. Never complains or is grumpy. Listens and does whatever is asked. Has good advice when asked and joyfully is obedient. This person is – perfect. But wait a minute, “Does this person really exist?” “No!” Maybe after we get our glorified body. In the meantime, we can learn a lot of patience with the people who think they are this person.

• Quiet Qui – Shhhh. This person hears all and is very informed and knowledgeable; but they would rather stay behind the scenes and help. Very trustworthy and beneficial; but remember “Shhhh.” Don’t try to bring this person out of their shell. They are happy there. Befriend them, be patient with them, and enjoy them for who they are.

• Dependable Darcy – This person is always where they should be. No one ever has to wonder where they are. If a job needs doing, this is the individual that the Pastor calls. Without a word, they get the job done quickly. They quietly serve the Lord regardless of worldly praise. This person has already learned a bit of patience because they do jobs to help other people without being judgemental of other personalities. Every church should have at least one Dependable Darcy.

Maybe through these fun personality characteristics we can see how God can teach us patience – if we are willing to learn – without more trials in life.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things (learn patience) through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

In summary,

I would much rather learn patience through learning to ‘get along’ with others than to have more trails in life.

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

I Peter 1:5-7 (quote above) lists the steps of our spiritual growth. Notice, we can’t get to godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity towards others until we’ve learned patience.

1. Faith
2. Virtue
3. Knowledge
4. Temperance
5. Patience
6. Godliness
7. Brotherly kindness
8. Charity

So, next time you go to church and someone’s personality rubs you the wrong way, stop and think, “This person is helping me to learn patience. I will do the best I can to ‘live peaceably with all men’ while God teaches me patience without another trail.”

Final thought – You could be the one someone is having patience with. It’s a continual circle. We have patience with others, and they have patience with us.