Patience is a virtue that we are often encouraged to develop. It is something that is essential to becoming more like Christ. But what exactly is patience. The dictionary define patience as “quiet steady perseverance; diligence.” This definition explains a lot of what is meant by the patience that is described in the scriptures.
It can be difficult to develop patience. It is easy to lose your temper or complain when a situation is not going the way that you want it to. It is easy to lose your patience when you are asked the same question over and over again, or when every thing seems to be working against you.
It may be that you have developed patience with those around you. You may be patient with your young children, and your husband, but are you patient with your own shortcomings? In his talk “Patience, a Key to Happiness” Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said:
“We should learn to be patient with ourselves. Recognizing our strengths and our weaknesses, we should strive to use good judgment in all of our choices and decisions, make good use of every opportunity, and do our best in every task we undertake. We should not be unduly discouraged nor in despair at any time when we are doing the best we can. Rather, we should be satisfied with our progress even though it may come slowly at times.”
In learning to develop patience it is important to realize that things may come more slowly than you want them to. It is also important to realize that the only actions that you can control are your own. It is important that you treat others with love and respect, even when they have wronged you. It is also important to acknowledge God’s hand in your life. Job was an excellent example of patience as he endured trial after trial, but stayed true to God.
Often trials teach us patience. It is in these moments that we truly begin to understand what it means to be patient. It is important to remember that we must accept that at times we may have trials, but with God’s help we can get through them. Reading the accounts from the scriptures of Job and the Apostle Paul can teach you about true patience. What have you done to learn patience?
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General Conference: “The Power of Patience”