🌱 Be Patient

Patience is not simply waiting—it is resting. As I anticipate the release of my debut novel Found and stumble through the jagged terrain of entrepreneurship at katstale.com, I’ve had to learn that God’s call is always deeper than “be patient.” His call is: rest.

Rest from taking on too many projects.

Rest from trying to balance everything at once.

Rest so I can devote time to what matters most.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:7)

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

Sometimes that rest means losing people, places, and things that once mattered to me. That’s how He teaches me patience.

The Bible says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12) And it’s true. We want things quick. We want instant. And me living in one of the fastest-paced cities makes it even harder to quiet my mind and wait for the seeds I plant to bloom.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25)

But when you renew your mind, you discover a subtle joy in giving time—for people to act, for seeds to grow, for your children to figure things out without being rushed.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

Patience is no joke. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit because it balances the scales, letting people, places, and things fall into place in God’s timing.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

“Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)

“By your steadfastness you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21:19)

I’ve noticed my own impatience in conversation. I tend to talk over people—not out of arrogance, but because I anticipate their thoughts, finish their sentences, suggest what they might say. Then one day the Holy Spirit brought this to my remembrance. And I didn’t feel shame. I saw it as an imperfection that could be improved. So I prayed: “Lord, teach me to break this habit.” His answer was clear: “Use patience to show them respect. Give them a chance to speak too.”

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”* (Philippians 4:5)

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Proverbs 29:11)

Why now? Why not before? Because He knows how I learn. I learn by doing, not just listening. If He wants me to be patient, He gives me a target. So when I catch myself being too assertive, I remember I’m in God’s school. And in His school, He doesn’t just want me to practice patience—He wants me to reflect His patience back to Him. For He has been wonderfully patient with me, allowing me to reason with Him even when He already knows the way to go.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8)

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”(Ecclesiastes 7:8)

“The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” (James 1:3–4)

We’re patient because it shows respect. (Romans 12:10)

We’re patient to show gentleness. (Philippians 4:5*)

We’re patient to show self-control. (Proverbs 16:32)

We’re patient to show love. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

We’re patient because it reveals faith. (Hebrews 6:12)

We’re patient because it anchors hope. (Romans 8:25)