Today’s Faith: Having Patience Without Breaking

Today’s faith is all about having patience and bending without breaking. Breathe: It can be done. I’m not crazy about this either, but yes, this is where we are.

There’s a peculiar thing about the way God teaches us patience. It’s rarely calm. No, He tends to shape it in the tension, in the wait, in that tug-of-war between what we know and what we’re still learning to trust. If you’ve lived long enough, you’ve probably found yourself in a place where having patience with someone felt like the absolute last thing you had left to give. I think it is challenging when their emotions are used to make points that are not needed in the moment.

Life isn’t tidy. People aren’t predictable. But faith invites us to hold steady. I had a moment of confusion when I was called about an incident. My wife and I had a discussion last night about why I do what I do with people, and a mistake was made this morning that she felt flew in the face of that. Instead of informing me, it was “I’m proving my point right now.” Drove me nuts, but I held my tongue. Why? She didn’t get it, and I need to explain it properly. Having patience means asking,”How will I address this?” before you address it.

Having Patience with Someone: A God-Honoring Pause

Let me put it plainly: there’s a good chance someone in your life is stretching you right now. Not in the flattering kind of way, either. They might be stubborn, difficult, slow to grow, or quick to wound. And if you’re like most of us, your gut response is either to lash out or walk away. But the Spirit says, “Stay. Love. Wait.”

Patience isn’t a pause, it’s a pursuit. It’s not passive endurance. It’s active obedience. And in a world of microwave expectations, patience might be the most countercultural thing we do today. We don’t exercise patience because the person deserves it. We do it because God deserves our obedience.

We do it because grace has been lavished on us, and we’re called to pour it back out even when it hurts, even when it’s inconvenient. That co-worker who interrupts you? That teenager who rolls their eyes? That spouse who’s withdrawn and silent? The practice of patience is one of the clearest ways we mirror the Father.

Bible Reading Suggestion: Ephesians 4:2

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

Humility, gentleness, and patience aren’t just virtues for monks or missionaries. They’re for you and me, Monday morning through Sunday night. They are the framework that holds the body of Christ together. Having patience means I’m going to utilize all the skillsets God provides today. “Bearing with one another in love” means choosing the long road with someone. It means seeing their brokenness and still deciding to walk beside them. It’s gritty. It’s messy. And it’s beautiful.

A Prayer for Today’s Faith

Heavenly Father, I admit—patience doesn’t always come easy. Sometimes people wear me thin. But today, I ask You to soften my heart and strengthen my spirit. Help me to love others the way You’ve loved me with grace and endurance. Remind me that growth takes time and transformation isn’t always visible. Teach me to respond with kindness, to wait without resentment, and to remember that my small acts of faithfulness have eternal impact. Amen.

Closing Thought

You don’t have to feel strong to be faithful. Sometimes, all it takes is showing up with a quiet spirit and a willing heart. Having patience is a process within itself. And today, your faith has a chance to speak volumes without saying a word.What does your faith look like today? I’d love to hear from you. Reply below, and I might just reply back!