There are two primary words for patience in the Bible, which are frequently used together: Makrothume and Hupomone. Makro means long, and Thume means temper and is frequently defined as long-suffering. It is the ability to endure and sustain a lengthened period of difficulty or challenges. Biblical realization of this word includes suffering at the hands of others and suffering under the weight of circumstances. The second word for patience, Hupomone, also comes from two words. Hupo means under, and Mone means to abide. It bears the idea of abiding under challenges.
When I consider my life, there are many areas where I need patience, but the area I believe I need the most patient endurance is during seasons of waiting on and trusting in Jesus. I find it extremely difficult to endure waiting on the Lord to move, fulfill his promises, or to act in accordance with the leadership I felt he had given me as I had sought him for guidance.
The story of Anna, the prophetess in Luke 2:36-38, always astounds me. Luke writes that Anna’s husband died after seven years of marriage. Hebrew girls would often marry at about 12 to 13 years of age. She devoted herself to fasting and prayer in the temple from that time forth. At the time of Jesus's birth, Anna was about eighty-four. That means she spent about 64 years in prayer, fasting, and unwavering dedication to the Lord. Luke writes that when she heard about Jesus, she talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. Anna waited faithfully for over 60 years for God to fulfill his word to send the Messiah, and suddenly, after waiting on the Lord for so long, he fulfilled his word. I want that kind of patient endurance.
As an extrovert, I tend to like to be busy. I tend to plan out too much and then fail to get it all done. Tasks tend to rule my heart each day. More often than not. I tend to join the spirit of Martha as she hurried around her home, preparing a meal for Jesus in Luke 10:38-42. I don't see anything inherently wrong with being task-oriented, but more than getting my list done, I want to be a person like Mary, who knows how to sit and listen at the feet of Jesus. I want to fulfill the first commandment: "love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, mind, and soul" (Matthew 22:37, NLT). And allow the second commandment: "love my neighbor as myself," (Matthew 22:39, NLT), to flow out of my encounter with Jesus in the first command. I think that Mary of Bethany, Martha's sister, patiently endured all that needed to be accomplished by slowing down and making space to listen to all that Jesus had to say. The pressures and platitudes of the day were not Mary's concern. She found solace patiently waiting at Jesus' feet.
I desire to have the patient persistence of Anna the prophetess and Mary of Bethany. I want to make the concerns of Jesus my own. I want to wait patiently for his thoughts, heart, and purpose to be expressed to my heart so that I can purposefully express it in my home, neighborhood, and county. Sitting and waiting can be an act of long-suffering, but the Word promises that he will faithfully lead us by his Spirit. It promises that the secrets of his heart have been and will be revealed to us by his Spirit. The fruit of patience, of long-suffering, at Jesus' feet is answered prayer, peace of mind, and life everlasting.
"Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary" (Isaiah 40:31, NASB). "I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1, NLT). "I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope" (Psalm 130:5, NIV).
About the Author
Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids. He loves Jesus, art, music, and poetry. He currently works as the Manager of Learning Technology Solutions for Los Angeles Pacific University and is passionate about adventuring outdoors.