Faithfully Waiting: How Patience Transforms Everything

Reflections on Patience: A Journey of Growth

Hello everyone! I recently took a break from writing, and honestly, it felt refreshing to spend my holiday vacation focused on family and friends. We had an amazing time together! Now, I’m not someone who really gets into the hype of holidays or birthdays. Learning about the origins of various holidays and diving deeper into my Bible, I’ve developed a different perspective on them. While I avoid the commercialization of holidays, I treasure the opportunity they provide to create lasting memories with loved ones. But that’s a conversation for another day.

Facing Writer’s Block

I’ll admit it—I’ve struggled with writer’s block recently. Balancing my writing and art projects has been a challenge because, truthfully, I couldn’t manage both effectively. That said, many of my art projects turned out beautifully, though I’m still finishing one of them. But let’s set that aside for now and talk about something I’ve been reflecting on deeply during this break: PATIENCE

Over this time, I’ve come to appreciate how much patience I’ve developed and how essential it is in every area of life, especially in the aspects that matter most to me—my marriage, parenting, artistic pursuits, and, above all, my relationship with God and my faith.

Patience: More Than a Virtue

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Patience is a virtue.” For the longest time, I didn’t understand how patience and virtue were connected. To me, patience seemed like a trivial quality, not something worthy of high moral regard. As a millennial raised in the YOLO era—"you only live once"—I believed life was about getting there as quick as you possibly could: chasing opportunities, taking risks, and seizing every moment and opportunity that came your way. However, that mindset eventually led to burnout, I hit that wall just as fast and as hard as I had lived my life. Each time I tried to rebuild myself quickly, I failed. It wasn’t until I embraced patience that I could rebuild my life properly.

When I say I had to start over, I mean everything, as in LITERALLY. I had no money, no job, no car, no place to live,  and I even had to relearn how to walk (a story for another time). Watching others in the art community and beyond surpass me while I picked up the pieces of my life, was a humbling experience. I went from someone who was moving fast in the art community leading the way in Columbus to watching the art community boom without me. That humble pie was not tasty at all. But It taught me a profound lesson: patience is far more important than I ever realized. Here’s what I’ve learned about its significance.

Trusting God’s Timing

My most significant realization is that impatience often stems from a lack of trust in God. Yes, clock that! Patience reflects faith and confidence in His timing and His provision. In Matthew 6:25-27, Jesus reminds us not to worry about our lives, as worry cannot add a single moment to our days. Looking back, I see that my impatience was often rooted in fear—fear of missing out, fear of failure, or fear of being alone. These fears revealed my lack of trust in God’s plan and my failure to live within His will.

The Benefits of Patience

Patience is not just about waiting; it’s about how you wait. Here are the key benefits I’ve discovered:

1. Spiritual Growth

Patience is a sign of spiritual maturity and growth in your relationship with God. Trusting His timing brings profound peace and reduces anxiety. James 1:3-4 teaches us that the testing of our faith produces patience, which leads to greater spiritual strength and trust in Him.

2. Joy and Peace

Patience fosters joy and peace. When I slowed down, I began to savor life more deeply. Everyday moments felt richer and more fulfilling, providing a sense of contentment far beyond any fleeting thrill. And trust me, I’d know—I used to rely on distractions like smoking and drinking excessively to fill that void.

3. Improved Decision-Making

Patience has dramatically improved my judgment and discernment. Instead of rushing into decisions, I now take the time to evaluate situations carefully. This shift has transformed not only my personal life but also my marriage. For instance, rather than responding impulsively during conflicts, I now sit with my feelings, reflect on the situation, and revisit conversations with a clearer perspective. This has led to more meaningful resolutions and deeper understanding.

4. Emotional Regulation

Patience equips you with the ability to control your emotions. It’s one thing to understand that you shouldn’t make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings; it’s another to practice it consistently. By cultivating patience, I’ve learned to sit with my emotions, identify triggers, and work toward healing.

Ultimately, if something is triggering you, it’s up to you to fix it. It’s not someone else’s job to avoid triggering you—it’s your responsibility to heal. When someone exposes a weak point, that’s an opportunity for you to grow stronger. Through patience, I’ve come to recognize my emotional weaknesses and allow God to guide me in addressing them. In moments of stillness, I hear the Holy Spirit’s discernment, showing me how to fix what’s broken.

5. Stronger Relationships

Patience has transformed my relationships. It allows for grace, kindness, and humility to take center stage. In moments of conflict, it creates space for the Holy Spirit to minister to both me and those around me, fostering deeper connections.

6. Wisdom and Discernment

Waiting provides clarity and insight. The stillness that comes with patience opens the door for the Holy Spirit to impart wisdom. Proverbs 19:11 highlights the value of discretion and the glory found in overlooking offenses, a truth I’ve seen unfold in my life.

7. Reflecting God’s Love

Extending patience to others demonstrates grace. Think about how patient God has been with us—allowing us to stumble, fall, and make the same mistakes repeatedly while continuing to love us unconditionally. Showing that same grace through patience with others reflects God’s love. For example, in my marriage, I needed a lot of patience to figure out my feelings as I healed and shed old patterns. By showing patience, we mirror God’s character and allow His love to work through us.

Final Thoughts

Patience is not just a virtue; it’s an indispensable tool for spiritual growth, emotional stability, and building healthier relationships. By embracing patience, we align ourselves with God’s will and open the door to experience His peace and joy more fully.

So, how patient have you been lately? Is there space in your life to grow in this area?

The next time you feel impatience rising, pause and reflect: What’s the rush? Chances are, whatever is weighing on you is something God can handle far better than you ever could.

Trust me—leaning into patience is always worth the effort.