Patience and Forbearance
Main Idea
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about patience and long-suffering as one of the attributes of God, and calls us to imitate our Heavenly Father in patience, calmness, and avoiding haste. God works wisely and chooses the appropriate time to fulfill His purposes, even when the fulfillment of a promise seems delayed in the eyes of man. Therefore, the believer should wait for the Lord with confidence and contentment, believing that God’s timing is better than the timing a person chooses for himself.
Spiritual Message
- God is long-suffering and patient with human beings. He bears with their mistakes and gives them opportunities to repent and return to Him.
- The example of Abraham shows that the fulfillment of God’s promises may require many years. However, God does not forget His promises; He works at the appropriate time.
- The example of Pharaoh shows that God’s long-suffering does not mean that He approves of sin, but rather that He gives people opportunities before carrying out His judgments.
- The Pope warns against relying on human strength and human wisdom instead of waiting for the Lord, as seen in the actions of Abraham and Rebekah and the troubles that followed.
- He emphasizes that haste can lead to anxiety, impulsiveness, and wrong decisions. It may even drive a person to despair or to abandon prayer and the Church when requests are not fulfilled quickly.
Educational Lesson
Patience is an essential virtue in dealing with others, raising children, serving, and correcting people’s character. A teacher should not despair when students continue making mistakes, and parents need patience in raising their children. We must also learn to listen to others until they finish speaking and avoid demanding that every instruction be carried out immediately. The Pope compares patience to a hen sitting on her eggs and a farmer waiting for a seed to grow into a tree and bear fruit. Matters that require time cannot have their results rushed.
Practical Application
We should practice waiting calmly and give every problem sufficient time to be resolved without anxiety or complaining. If we try to reconcile with someone and that person does not respond the first time, we should continue trying with love and patience. If God does not answer our prayers as quickly as we wish, we should not abandon prayer or worship; instead, we should trust in His wisdom and continue waiting. We should also avoid impulsive decisions and give others opportunities to change and grow, because personal transformation and serving others require time and perseverance.
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