Webster's defines be patient as bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint, or being steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity. I believe this why patience is called a virtue. It is little practiced, but much needed. At the first sign of difficulty, many jump to an easier, smoother path, hoping to avoid the pain and suffering that is necessary on the road to personal growth. But it is only by taking this rough road do we gain the experience necessary to develop our character. Impatience robs us of these types of life experiences. How would your world be different if you practiced more patience?

Patience is necessary for Success. It is said that "all good things come to those who wait" If we wish to achieve anything of significance, we cannot expect to achieve it overnight. For example many of our great scientists have remarked how their scientific discoveries came only through patient perseverance. Einstein said Genius was 99% perspiration and only 1% inspiration. To achieve anything great in life we have to develop patience.

I’ve had people tell me many times that I just don’t have the patience to do that kind of thing. I think we can honestly say that patience is one of those things that many Christians don’t have the patience to wait for. In all seriousness however, the truth is we don’t have to. If you are in Christ, you have patience. The ability to walk in it is greatly up to us. The ability to stand and keep on standing is on the inside of you. You have to yield to it. Some people don’t like to hear things like that, but God’s Word is God’s Word, and it is the truth. The truth is what will set us free and cause us to have assurance in the midst of turmoil.

If an adult was to try your patience, you would not scream and yell at them right? So why would you put something that you love so much through that? The best thing to do if you feel like your getting close to your breaking point is to take a few deep breaths and move on. You would not know how great it feels to just inhale and exhale a few short times instead of getting angry, this also helps you in gaining a sense of control for your present situation.

Patience teaches us to value the effort and not just the success. It is a mistake to think that happiness can only be attained through certain achievements. To get the most from life, we should value the preparation and effort, as much as the success or failure that may result. Patience means we learn to develop equanimity and to not be influenced by the ups and downs of life.

Patience brings peace of mind. When we desire certain outcomes, then we will have no peace of mind. Even if one desire is filled, the nature of desire is that more will appear in its place. There is no end to human desire. Patience means that we can work with out expecting a certain outcome. Patience means we will work with an attitude of detachment. It is this detachment that brings peace of mind.