In our times, the virtue of patience is conspicuous by its absence. Those who have patience usually win. Impatience is the source of many serious problems.
Patience in the difficulties of life brings spiritual maturity. Patience means courage, bravery and a wise soul. Those who have no patience are scared, timid and lose. The patients, the injured, the disabled, the unemployed, the poor have a great need for patience. Without it, they are easily discouraged.
We often tell others to be patient. It’s not always that easy. In Mount Athos, they wish good patience. Patience is a common word but difficult to achieve. It takes effort, hard work, knowledge, humility, tolerance, diligence and cultivation. Impatience usually comes from selfishness. We must endure in order to be able to truly love. Who has patience hopes and, therefore, is freed from ups and downs. The hopeful are optimistic, patient and courageous. We set out a suffocating schedule for our fellow human beings, we set strict conditions for them and we are sad that they do not respond. What life would be if we were more patient?
Even in the spiritual life, there is sometimes a tendency to insolence. Righteous Job is the epitome of patience. God does not trust the impatient. People seek quick and easy gains. But good things are acquired through toil. Physical illness can recover our mental health. There are many opportunities in life that from the bitter comes the good. The obstacles mean to resurrect us far from idleness, carelessness and stupor. The impatient do not have spiritual grace, as they are filled with sadness, grief, sorrow, depression, melancholy and frustration.
One is lured into the labyrinth of adversity, scandals, secularism, pleasures, greed and delusion. Whoever has humility and patience resists and wins. Patience will help somebody a lot. One will not be brought to one’s knees, will not be led to divorce, will close one’s mouth, will not be oppressed by various adverse events. It is a great thing to endure the bitter events in one’s life meekly and without protest. The many challenges, curiosities, quirks and difficulties do give room to patience. The strong desire of those who the others already possess makes them impatient.
Interpersonal relationships definitely require a lot of patience. We must put ourselves into the other side’s shoes, listen to what one says, feel their pain, speak to them with indulgence and kindness. We cannot be judgemental. We must also be patient with ourselves, get to know and accept our inner self. Patience comes not only from hope but also from love. Love for God and human being. Sacrificial love. He who endures the other is tolerant, meek, benevolent, generous, smiling and peaceful.
Patience has a lot to offer in difficult modern life. We have to endure the turmoil of the times, the problems of others, the difficulties of ourselves. Blessed are those who endure unto the end.
