Daily Devo
Are We Expressing Patience?
By: Keefe Wilson
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT)
Have you ever had trouble remaining patient in a difficult situation? In theory, patience sounds simple, but real life will quickly test it. Years ago, I heard a sermon that asked, “Are you expressing patience?” I realized I needed growth in this area, so I prayed, “Lord, please give me more patience.”
The very next day, I was pulled over for speeding on base, and was given a citation. Five minutes later I got stopped again, which led to citation number two. The following day, it happened again! By the third time I was angry, so when the officer asked for my Driver’s license, I mumbled some choice words and refused to hand it over. I was convinced they were all out to get me.
When I asked God, “Why is this happening?” His quiet answer pierced my heart: Keefe, you asked me for patience... That's when I realized I didn't know how to express patience. Our patience gets tested in slow moving lines, tense conversations, delayed prayers, and unexpected setbacks. We often think we’re patient—until it gets tested.
In 2 Timothy, Paul says patience is more than just quiet waiting—it's Christ’s character flowing out of us when we're tested. Patience is refusing to react inappropriately, waiting without irritation, and staying calm under pressure. It's hard, because patience isn’t something we’re born with; it's a fruit of the Spirit that must be nurtured and developed (Galatians. 5:22).
Anyone can stay calm when life is going smoothly. Real patience emerges when we’re inconvenienced, misunderstood, or pushed out of our comfort zone. Patience must be lived out—especially in conflicts or when we face false accusations. How? By staying calm when we're verbally attacked, by controlling our thoughts and emotions, by not forcing our opinions on others, and by forgiving quickly.
When we master patience, we gain remarkable power—the ability to endure difficult people, we'll remain calm and steadfast under pressure, and we can "let things go" instead of getting angry.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)
Christ follower, consider how patient God was with you... then let that shape how you treat others. The next time things don't go as planned, how will we react? When someone frustrates us, will they still see Christ in us? When we think God's timing seems too slow, will we patiently wait?
Remember, patience isn't passivity—it's a Christlike restraint that must be expressed in every situation we face.