Romans 15:4. Having hope is a key component in learning patience in our day-to-day lives. The Bible teaches us how to learn patience through having hope in God. Bible characters such as Abraham and David demonstrated both great hope and patience in their lives. Both of them had great faith and hope that God would provide for them and look after them. Because both of them believed the promises of God, they could be patience and endure hardships and many challenges that most men could not face. God desires all us to place our hope in Him. Part of keeping that hope is to have patience. God have given us the Bible to draw our strength, our comfort and to learn patience (Romans 15:4, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope").

ROMANS 15 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

Ecclesiastes 7:8. Part of learning patience is to quell our pride. If we have pride in our spirit, we put ourselves first above all people to include God. Pride does not want to wait; it wants instant gratification. Pride has no purpose except self-gratification. Pride is at odds with God's purpose in our lives. Patience comes with us having hope in something greater than ourselves. God desires for us to put our hope in Him. Learning patience enables us to endure all things because we are focused on our end purpose (Ecclesiastes 7:8, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit”). We cannot learn patience, if we do not have hope in something greater than ourselves.

ECCLESIASTES 7 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Ecclesiastes 7:8, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

1 Timothy 6:11. Patience is not learned in a vacuum. People seek to learn patience because they are trying to change the way they live. They are aspiring to have their actions line up with their purpose. They are trying to flee or change the way they live. From a Christian perspective, patience is a virtue that only comes with acquiring other virtues such as righteousness, godliness, faith, love, and meekness (1 Timothy 6:11-12, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”). If you do not have a purpose (hope) and the right frame of mind, you will not be able to learn patience. Patience is a key virtue that is needed to fight for your faith, your hopes, your dreams, and achieve your purpose.

1 TIMOTHY 6 BIBLE SCRIPTURE 1 Timothy 6:11, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."

Psalms 85:16. God provides us the best example when learning patience and long-suffering. He is a truly a God of patience. The Bible shows us ample examples of where God has shown His patience with His creation, mankind. In the Old Testament, the Israelites time and time again disobeyed God to worship other idols and to do what they thought best. The Israelites were a chosen people to fulfill their Creator's purpose, but instead they continuously rebelled against God. God was more than justified to have disowned the Israelites, but He loved them. Therefore, time and time again, He showed His patience toward the Israelites. Through His compassion and grace, He was patient with the Israelites no matter how disobedient and sinful their actions (Psalms 86:15 “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth”). Having love and compassion for others is the secret for us learning patience. Without true love and compassion toward others, we will not learn patience.

PSALMS 86 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Psalms 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”