You can always tell when God thinks something is important by the number of times it is mentioned in the Holy Bible. If you use a concordance, the number of times a word is shown to occur does not always reflect the total number of times it actually shows up because a concordance is primarily a verse locator. However, it is one way to get a count. I use a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance because it is the one that was most readily available in large print (in a bookstore before I started internet shopping).
My concordance is keyed to the King James Version of the Bible. Other translations sometimes use words like “perseverance” and “steadfast” to render “patient” or “patience” from Latin and Greek into modern English.
In my Strong’s, the word “patience” is listed 34 times, in 14 different books of the Bible. “Patient” is listed nine times in seven books, and “patiently” is shown six times in four books.
It would seem, therefore, that an earnest disciple (student) like me might be able to get the point. I cannot, however, seem to be able to – at least not on my own. It seems that the only way I can avoid impatience is to lean on the Lord.
How about you? In this age of instant gratification, are you able to patiently wait? Do you get cross with people about delays they are not able to avoid? If I don’t watch it, I do.
Here are some verses to help when we hit the end of our rope:
The end
Patience
Do not
be eager
For anger
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:11-14 NLT)
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1Timothy 6:6-11 NKJV)
Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. (Titus 2:2 NLT)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:3 NKJV)
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:7-11 NKJV)
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (2Peter 1:5-9 KJV)
“To the
angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven
stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. (Revelation2:1-3 ESV)
Note:
All verses quoted from: https://biblehub.com/esv/revelation/2.htm
