Topical Encyclopedia
Impatience is a state of restlessness or eagerness that often leads to frustration and a lack of self-control. In the context of Christian theology, impatience is generally viewed as a vice that can hinder spiritual growth and disrupt one's relationship with God and others. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of patience as a virtue and the dangers associated with impatience.
Biblical References and Teachings1.
Old Testament Insights: · The account of Saul's impatience in
1 Samuel 13:8-14 serves as a cautionary tale. Saul, anxious about the impending battle with the Philistines and Samuel's delayed arrival, took it upon himself to offer the burnt offering, a task reserved for the prophet. This act of impatience led to God's rejection of Saul's kingship. This narrative underscores the importance of waiting on God's timing and the consequences of taking matters into one's own hands.
2.
New Testament Teachings: · The New Testament frequently contrasts impatience with the fruit of the Spirit, particularly patience.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists patience as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a quality to be cultivated by believers: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
·
James 1:4 encourages believers to let patience have its perfect work, "so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." This passage suggests that patience is integral to spiritual maturity and completeness.
3.
The Example of Jesus: · Jesus Christ exemplified perfect patience throughout His earthly ministry. Despite facing opposition, misunderstanding, and betrayal, He remained patient and steadfast in His mission. His interactions with His disciples, who often struggled to understand His teachings, were marked by patience and compassion.
4.
Practical Implications: · Impatience can lead to hasty decisions and actions that are not aligned with God's will.
Proverbs 19:2 warns, "Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark." This proverb highlights the importance of thoughtful deliberation and reliance on God's guidance.
· In relationships, impatience can cause strife and discord.
Ephesians 4:2 advises believers to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." This instruction emphasizes the role of patience in fostering unity and love within the Christian community.
Theological ConsiderationsImpatience is often rooted in a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and timing. It reflects a desire for control and an unwillingness to submit to God's plan. Theologically, impatience can be seen as a manifestation of pride, as it places one's own desires above God's purposes. Cultivating patience, therefore, involves a deepening trust in God and a willingness to surrender to His will.
Practical Steps for Overcoming Impatience1.
Prayer and Reflection: · Regular prayer and meditation on Scripture can help believers develop patience.
Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
2.
Community Support: · Engaging with a community of believers can provide accountability and encouragement in the pursuit of patience.
Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds," highlighting the importance of mutual support.
3.
Mindfulness and Self-Control: · Practicing mindfulness and self-control can help individuals recognize moments of impatience and respond with grace.
Proverbs 16:32 states, "He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city," emphasizing the strength found in self-restraint.
In summary, impatience is a challenge that believers must confront with the help of Scripture, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. By cultivating patience, Christians can grow in their faith and reflect the character of Christ in their lives.
Topical Bible Verses
Galatians 5:22-26But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Topicalbible.orgJames 5:7-8
Be patient therefore, brothers, to the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
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1 John 2:1-29
My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
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James 1:1-27
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
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2 Timothy 3:10
But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,
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Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience;
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Colossians 1:11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;
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2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The quality of being impatient; want of endurance of pain, suffering, opposition, or delay; eagerness for change, or for something expected; restlessness; chafing of spirit; fretfulness; passion; as, the impatience of a child or an invalid.
Greek
687. ara -- an untranslatable interrog. particle implying anxiety...... 686, 687. ara. 688 . an untranslatable interrog. particle implying anxiety
or
impatience.
... particle implying anxiety or
impatience. therefore.
...Strong's Hebrew
7115. qotser -- shortness... anguish. From qatsar; shortness (of spirit), ie
Impatience -- anguish. see HEBREW
qatsar. 7114b, 7115. qotser. 7116 . Strong's Numbers.
4684. mitshalah -- a neighing
... neighing. From tsahal; a whinnying (throughimpatience for battle or lust) -- neighing.
see HEBREW tsahal. 4683, 4684. mitshalah. 4685 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Consolations againstImpatience in Sickness.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. CONSOLATIONS AGAINSTIMPATIENCE IN SICKNESS. If in thy sickness
by extremity of pain thou be driven toimpatience, meditate"...
The Causes ofImpatience, and their Correspondent Precepts.
... Chapter VII."The Causes ofImpatience, and Their Correspondent Precepts.
Now, however, while we run through the causes ofimpatience...
As God is the Author of Patience So the Devil is ofImpatience.
... Chapter V."As God is the Author of Patience So the Devil is ofImpatience.
Nevertheless, the proceeding [9049] of a discussion...
"Two Manners of Sickness that we Have:Impatience, or Sloth...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXIII "Two manners of sickness that we
have:impatience, or sloth;"despair, or mistrustful dread"....
Do You Need Patience?
... Sometimes it is taught that allimpatience comes from sin in the heart, and
that if one manifests a lack of patience he is not sanctified....
Certain Other Divine Precepts the Apostolic Description of Charity...
... As regards the rule of peace, which [9132] is so pleasing to God, who in the world
that is prone toimpatience [9133] will even once forgive his brother, I...
Of Revenge.
... Chapter X."Of Revenge. There is, too, another chief spur ofimpatience, the lust
of revenge, dealing with the business either of glory or else of malice....
How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
... toil. For the very virtue of charity, which is the mother and guardian of
all virtues, is lost through the vice ofimpatience. For...
Of the Mortification of Anger by Patience. ...
... In patientia vestra possidebitis animas vestras; that is, By patience ye shall keep
the possession of your souls,' as implying that byimpatience we lose that...
Attributes of Love.
... When thus used, it designates a calm and unruffled state of the sensibility or feelings,
under circumstances that tend to excite anger orimpatience of feeling...
Thesaurus
Impatience (1 Occurrence)... opposition, or delay; eagerness for change, or for something expected; restlessness;
chafing of spirit; fretfulness; passion; as, the
impatience of a child or
...Impatient (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not to be borne; unendurable. 3. (a.) Prompted by, or exhibiting,impatience;
as, impatient speeches or replies. 4. (n.) One who is impatient....
Out (29154 Occurrences)
... 15. (interj.) Expressingimpatience, anger, a desire to be rid of; -- with the force
of command; go out; begone; away; off. Multi-Version Concordance...
Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)
... is literally, "long of mind or soul" (regarded as the seat of the emotions), opposed
to shortness of mind or soul, irascibility,impatience, intolerance....
Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... In James 5:9, stenazo, "to groan," "to complain" (from affliction or fromimpatience
or ill-humor), is translated "grudge," "Grudge not one against another...
Imparts (3 Occurrences)
Fret (9 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) Agitation of mind marked by complaint andimpatience; disturbance of temper;
irritation; as, he keeps his mind in a continual fret. 13....
Thorn (30 Occurrences)
... concerning the `thorn' or `stake' in the flesh is that the loving heart of the apostle
bewailed as his sorest trial the misfortune that, byimpatience in word...
Rephidim (5 Occurrences)
... Here no water could be found for the people to drink, and in theirimpatience they
were ready to stone Moses, as if he were the cause of their distress....
Meribah (11 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 33:8. Some think the one place is called by the two names (Psalm
81:7). In smiting the rock at this place Moses showed the sameimpatience as the...
Resources
Is it wrong to be frustrated with God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about patience? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that love is patient? | GotQuestions.orgImpatience: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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