What is Patience?
Really, what is patience? The way I look at it, patience is akin to releasing our grip, a relaxing of mental muscles, similar to meditation. Through patience we relinquish control of something, or just accept that we had less control over it to begin with. Patience helps deter the build up of stress/anger and helps prevent rash/brash decisions. Patience is realizing that others have control over their lives and that we must accept our lack of control over them. Patience is also realizing that God does not immediately cater to our every whim like some hired servant; He works on His own timetable, doing things when His wisdom says they should be done. He knows what is best for us in the long run after-all, and by long-run I don't just mean this life, but eternity. This life is just a preparation for eternity after all.
Learning Patience
In an age of instant gratification, how do we learn to have patience and recognize that the Lord has His own timetable? So many people impatiently demand immediate change and instant answers, but God does not usually work that way. If good repository of examples of people that had to learn patience the hard way is the scriptures. Two notable stories that are well known are firstly, the story of Job, a man who although righteous, is suddenly bombarded with tribulations. He struggles to stay faithful through it all, but finally comes out on top in the end. The other story is that of Moses and the children of Israel. After the Lord promises them a land of their own, He denies them entry until they learn faith and obedience, which takes them forty years to accomplish. In fact, I'm pretty sure the entire original generation that left Egypt had completely died out by the time they received their promised land. Even Moses didn't enter it. In light of those stories, how patient are we in comparison? Do we have the patience to wait 40 years for an answer? It makes me wonder in what things I’m impatient. It isn’t easy learning to nurture a virtue, especially when it takes time the way patience does.
Enduring to the End
Off times we hear talk of "enduring to the end". Enduring to the end is the epitome of patience and a lifelong pursuit.
- I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation. 2 Ne 33:9
- And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matt 10:22 - And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.
3 Ne 27:16 - Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.
Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me. 3 Ne 15:9-10 - And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end. Alma 38:2
- Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. 2 Ne 31:20
- Behold, this is my doctrine--whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.
And now, behold, whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. D&C 10:67,69
Bumps in the Road to Paradise
Christ has warned of many bumps in the road that we will have to endure, for example:
- And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matt 24:6-13
Ending Thoughts
What will be, will be. You just gotta make the best of it. Having an attitude of gratitude will take you far, and make bumps in the road less arduous. Fight the good fight, protect freedom, and never forget to smile. :)