Patience: A Great Achievement Without Rivals

Human beings are born with a competitive tendency. From an early age, children compete to capture adults’ attention so they receive more attention, affection, and praise. Often, they are impatient when playing, snatch other children’s toys, or cry to be bought a similar toy. They do not want to be left behind; they want to be seen and admired by their playmates.

Without good parenting, this trait will carry into adulthood and may even grow worse. We find it hard to accept it when someone is better than we are. Perhaps we are impatient in waiting for an opportunity, developing our abilities, saving more, or creatively seeking solutions.

So then, does that mean competition is the enemy of patience?

Excessive Competitiveness

Elbowing one another often happens in the struggle for a position. Various strategies are used, such as seeking favor (image-building), slandering rivals, or bribing superiors. Any means are justified so that a person will be acknowledged and respected.

On the other hand, healthy competition encourages us to develop our potential and grow in humility. Without rivals, we become lazy, easily self-satisfied, and even arrogant. So it is not competition itself that is bad, but the excessive competitiveness of those taking part in it.

Now, if people are willing to work themselves to the bone for an outward achievement, what about an inward achievement?

Are we willing to strive to become more patient people?

A Patient Person Surpasses a Hero

In the inward struggle, there is no elbowing, no need for image-building, and no under-the-table money either. Everything is free. There is little interest and little competition, if not none at all. The way is wide open because it is so easy to find situations that will test our patience.

The book of Proverbs describes it this way, "One who is patient is better than a warrior, and one who rules his spirit than one who captures a city." – Proverbs 16:32

If becoming a hero is not easy, how much more becoming a patient person. Even though there are no rivals to fight, the hardest struggle is defeating the greatest enemy, namely ourselves.

When a spouse is unfaithful, a career stalls, or finances are on the brink, it is hard to be patient. By instinct, we want to retaliate with unfaithfulness, compromise so we can be promoted, or commit corruption so our finances improve. In short, we choose the shortcut.

However, if we do that, it means we have lost to ourselves. Referring to Proverbs, instead of surpassing a hero, perhaps we become a hero after the fact.

Change Your Mindset

People in the world may solve problems by taking shortcuts. But as disciples of Jesus, we are expected to remain upright even when circumstances are unfavorable. Always be patient in difficult times.

Disciples of Jesus must be different from the world (Romans 12:2). And, the difference begins with a change in mindset.

These tips may help change your mindset.

1. REMEMBER: God promises His presence, not ease.

Before ascending to heaven, the Lord Jesus gave a message to His disciples. "And know this, I am with you always, to the very end of the age." – Matthew 28:2b

When going through severe struggles, remember that we are not alone. God promises to be with us, and He fulfills His promise. When we struggle together with God, the word ‘give up’ is not in our dictionary.

2. SEE: challenges are opportunities to train yourself to become more patient.

Many people pray to be given patience, but when challenges come they grumble instead. In fact, those challenges may be God’s answer to their prayer.

See challenges as an opportunity, and we will be able to be patient as God shapes us. Remember, God works through every circumstance to bring about good for us.

"We know now that God works in all things to bring about good for those who love Him, namely for those who are called according to God’s purpose." – Romans 8:28

3. BELIEVE: there is still another door open.

When what we planned has not yet succeeded, it may be that God has a better plan.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD." – Isaiah 55:8

Rather than mourning a closed door, it is better to look for another door that can be opened. This confidence will spur us toupgrade ourselves. Whether you have not yet been chosen by your boss for a promotion, are struggling to cover your business capital, are rejected when applying for a job, or are facing difficult family members, believe this! That good opportunity will come.

4. SURRENDER: let Your will be done, not mine.

To surrender is to trust and remain obedient to God, even when the results we worked for do not match our hopes. Life is not about us, but about God in us. Who knows, He may be protecting us from something bad while sharpening our best qualities.

Jesus Himself has given the example of surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Then He went away a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, let Your will be done!" – Matthew 26:42

There are many tips for practicing patience available on the internet. For example, counting from one to ten. Taking deep breaths. Calming yourself for a moment. Not reacting when hearing bad news, and so on. All these tips will be effective if we first change our mindset with the four tips above.

Even though the effort to become a patient person has very little competition, the path is indeed not easy. But together with God, the Most Patient One, we can surely do it. Keep fighting!