5 Bible Verses on Patience

5 Bible Verses on Patience was written by Candid Guest, Rachel Nelson

“Be Patient” is a phrase I probably use too often with my kids and not enough with myself. When you have young children it becomes increasingly obvious that there in fact ‘beams in your eye’ that need to be cast out, and I have learned that this is one of mine.

My children are absolutely wonderful. They are happy and helpful around the house,  but like all children they also have moments of anger, rebellion, and downright messiness.

Somehow, I am supposed to raise them with loving kindness and meekness without letting myself become frustrated. It’s my job to encourage them to grow, gently prune away any of their imperfections, and guide them to become their best selves, (while at the same time also learning to improve myself!)

I must do this from a place of great patience, because they will inevitably make many mistakes.

Kind of like how God does the same for me.

The Ultimate Example for Parents

How does God do it?  

Sometimes I just wonder, what must God be thinking when He looks down again and sees me make another mistake? The patience and wisdom He has is truly amazing (of course!), and I pray that He will share some of it with me!

If I could learn to teach my children the way He teaches me, I would have so much more peace in my heart and in my home. He is truly the ultimate example for me to follow, in life and in parenting.

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5 Bible Verses on Patience

1. Ephesians 4:2-3

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

KJV

This is my daily goal as a mother, to keep unity and peace in my home! This call encompasses all aspects of homemaking- dinner making, teaching, wiping up spilled milk, everything I do can be done with meekness and longsuffering. This verse is especially important to me because it includes the word “Endevouring”. I will never achieve the lofty goal of perfection in my short life, but the daily effort towards ‘endevouring’ to keep the spirit in my home will allow me to focus on my highest priorities.

2. Galatians 5:5

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

KJV

Similarly, I must continue to wait and hope with faith to become the kind of mother God wants me to be– a righteous one. Through making small steps towards my goals, I can eventually reach them. Each day I try to keep the Spirit with me, and continue forward in faith even through those hard times.

Related Post: One Mom’s Struggle to Overcome Yelling

3. James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

KJV

Children have a wonderful way of letting you know your faults. Sometimes after moments of weakness, a sweet little voice says to me “Mama, you meed to calm down.” I have been trying something new, instead of feeling guilt or embarassment that my toddler was paying more attention than I realized, I take her innocent advice to heart, and realize that it IS a joy to work my faith, and exercise my patience! Only in effort does it grow!

4. Luke 21:19

In your patience possess ye your souls.

KJV

There is no other way to happiness, than God’s way. And His way is patient. In patience, I learn to contain myself, regulate myself, and in a sense, protect my own soul. Patience protects me from bringing anger into my heart, or inviting negativity into my mind. When I am patient I can keep my rational mind clear, and more importantly I can protect my relationships with my kids.

5. Matthew 18:22

Jesus saith unto him, ‘I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.’

KJV

This may be the verse that is hardest for me to swallow. Seventy times seven is a lot of times to forgive someone! If you have small children, you know as well as I do that the phrase “How many times do I have to tell you…” is famous for a reason! This verse brings me full circle. I think God asks me to be so unconditionally patient with my children is because He shows the same gentleness to me.

After all the biblical study I have done on patience, I have learned that patience is a gift, not only to others but also to myself. The same could be said about all of Gods commandments, they ultimately turn us into the kind of people we need to be, and specifically into the kind of mother I need to be.

Join the Conversation

What are your favorite Bible verses on patience? Is patience something you struggle with? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

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About the Author

Rachel is a new young mother who is trying to make her home a heaven on Earth. She writes about motherhood, home birth, domesticity, and more at Approachinghome.com, a place she created to share her experiences and be a light to other Christian women. Her mothering goals are to be more sustainable and self sufficient, as well as cultivate joy in the hard moments.

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How Does God Do It?