Last week, in Part 1, we looked at some tips on how to develop patience with delays and personal suffering.  These included:

• Gain a positive perspective on these negative situations.
• Do the next thing.
• Wait with expectant hope in the Lord.

For more detail on these, feel free to check the previous post.

Here, in Part 2, we will observe ways to be patient with other people.  This can often be harder, since we have less control over other people, even though we often wish we had more:

First— Don’t fret.  The more anxious we allow ourselves to become, imagining all kinds of worst-case scenarios as the result of waiting, the more impatient we’ll become.  It also causes us to become angrier and angrier until we say or do something we regret as a result. 

“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.” Ps. 37:8

How do we keep from fretting and anger?  Refer back to #3– Develop the kind of trust that keeps us calm—a strong, unwavering, assurance that God’s got things under control on our behalf.

Second— Seek and gain understanding—of the person/people, what they’ve been through, going through, etc.  We can’t always know why things are being held up, but we can gain insight into other people’s annoying behavior. 

“Oh—they’ve experienced so much abuse in their own life, it makes it hard for them to cooperate with others.”  This helps us treat others a lot more kindly and patiently.  Prov. 19:11 promises:

“A person’s wisdom/insight yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

Third—Exercise humility.  Remember — we’re not perfect either—many times others have to be patient with us! 

Then, compare ourselves to the Lord, who is perfect.  He is very patient toward us, despite our faults and selfishness. How much more, then, should we extend grace to others and be patient with them! 

When we realize that “there but for the grace of God go I”, with any fault, quirk, or weakness, we won’t look down on others, and we’ll give them more “wobble room”.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Eph. 4:2

Being humble and gentle enables us to be patient and forbearing with each other’s quirks and weaknesses. 

Jesus, in the only time He described Himself, said “…I am gentle and humble in heart.”  Mat. 11:29 

Remember how patient He was with His disciples, who often didn’t “get it”, and how patient He is with us!

Fourth—Keep the top goal of life and relationships in mind. What is that? Feeling good? No. “Fixing” the other person? No. Solving the problem? Helpful, but not top.  Peace in the relationship?  Good, but still not top. 

So what is our top goal?  Being like Jesus to others in such a way that it encourages and helps them to grow in Christ-likeness themselves. We can’t attain His divine power, but we can grow continually in His divine character.  Such as being “gentle and humble in heart.”

Rom. 8:28 tells us “He works all things together for our good.”  Then, verse 29 reveals that highest good– “…to be conformed to the image of His Son…”

The Lord appreciates positive goals in relationships.  But we’ll never achieve real and lasting relational harmony, solutions, growth-facilitation, or happiness without becoming like Jesus!

Finally— Be patient with ourselves.  Perfectionists demand perfection from others.  The “logic” goes, “If I have to be perfect, so should they!”  No one likes a double standard.

Yes, we yearn to attain that top goal of Christ-like character.  And it’s a long process. 

Yet, at the same time, we can relax, assured, through that expectant hope that makes us patient with all things and people—the Lord is working on us and won’t stop until that transformative work is done.

“…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:6

It’s as if we all carry signs saying “Under Construction”. 

Be patient, knowing the Master Builder is both faithful and competent.