20 Encouraging Bible Verses About Patience
20 Scriptures and 4 Bible stories that will help you to be patient
Maybe you have heard someone saying that, "patience is a virtue". You may also feel deep within yourself that patience and being virtuous are attributes that you want to develop and maintain.
Today we will look at Bible verses about patience that will help you to wait on God, be patient with your spouse and others, and help you to be resilient while going through difficult times.
Bible verses about patiently waiting on God
Waiting on God to help us as we go through various experiences may seem like a difficult task. These verses will provide encouragement for you to be steadfast in hope as you depend on the Lord.
1. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
We serve an all-knowing God who knows everything about every single detail of our lives. He knows the plans He has for our future, the path He has outlined for us to take, and how long it will take for us to get there.
When it's taking longer than expected to attain life goals, think about this text. A three-year degree program will take five years to complete because God wants you to earn extra credits in self-confidence, faith, and your prayer life. It may take years for you to start your own business, close on a house or get that car but God had planned that when you finally do you will have mastered money management and learnt to trust His timing.
God wants the best for you. He wants to give you a future filled with hope. All you need to do is trust Him and wait for all the blessings He has in-store for you.
2. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! ⁸Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. ⁹For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. Psalm 37:7-9 ESV
Have you ever felt like you were running out of time to gain an opportunity? You have done everything humanly possible, you prayed, you waited with baited breath as the deadline approaches but it seems like God has forgotten you.
Waiting on God may seem difficult in times like these. That is why this text is a reminder not to worry or become upset. 'Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him'. In your moment of stillness, the Lord will work behind the scenes to put all the pieces in place. Your opportunity, that blessing you are waiting for will be revealed in the perfect moment.
3. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12 ESV
This verse is a helpful reminder that patience is a very important attribute to have. It also emphasizes the need for other character traits such as: meekness, humility, kindness, and compassion.
In our walk with God, we will not receive all the things that we need in an instant. God will not snap His fingers and grant wishes in a flash. We have to humble ourselves before Him and be meek. Jesus made a beautiful promise in Matthew 5:5. He stated, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth". As you endure with steadfastness for the Lord in your current situation, find hope in the fact that the meek will have an amazing inheritance in the earth made new.
4. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 ESV
God's timing is different from our timing. What seems like forever to us is just a passing moment for God. He is from everlasting to everlasting and no situation we are going through now will out-live or outlast Him.
This text points to the fact that the challenges we are experiencing today will be the victories we testify about tomorrow. This is because the God we serve will take us through our challenges and lead us to our victories if we depend on Him with unwavering faith.
5. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Sometimes the cares of life really dampen our spirit and drains us emotionally and physically. Responsibilities at home, work, school, and even church may all add up and start to take a toll on us. In times like these we need two things-patience and strength.
We are promised in Isaiah that the Lord will strengthen all those who wait upon Him. He will take our weakness and faintness and empower us. He will equip us to soar above our challenges like mighty eagles.
Bible verses about patience in marriage
Marriage takes a lot of effort, perseverance, and commitment to work. There will be moments when you feel like you are too tired to keep going or too frustrated to care. In times like these the word of God may serve as a powerful tool to motivate and encourage you. Here are some Bible verses that will help you to be a more patient spouse.
6. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV
I love this verse because it tells us that once we have true love in a marriage patience is a guarantee. Love is patient and kind. This is a simple yet profound statement.
If you are ever doubtful that you will find it difficult to be patient, just trust the love that you have for your spouse. Genuine love will enable you to be patient and kind in words, thoughts, and actions.
7. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV
The advice provided by the apostle in this text encourages couples to be resilient. Not giving up and not allowing weariness to discourage you will help you to: refocus on your marriage, keep the flame of love burning, and continually do good deeds for your spouse and your relationship.
8. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5 ESV
This is a beautiful text to pray over your marriage in order for you and your partner to find hope, live in unity, and learn to be patient.
Heavenly Father,
You are the God of endurance, courage, and unity. I pray that you will help me to be a patient wife/husband. Help me to be encouraged, to be faithful, honest, and true to my spouse in moments when I may not feel like it. Heavenly Father, dispel conflicts and dissension and help us to have a harmonious union. Fortify our marriage, envelope us in your love and help us to love each other with patient endurance.
Bless us now and forevermore we ask in Christ's name.Amen
9. Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29 ESV
Being able to control your temper in situations that make you angry is a great way to exercise patience in a marriage. Instead of an angry or hasty outburst, being understanding and thinking through the situation may allow you to see things from the other person's perspective.
This verse is a helpful reminder that it is wise to practice patience and self-control than to act hastily. In haste we may cause hurt and create tension but with patience we respond from a point of understanding.
10. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV
All marriage relationships are prone to challenges and pitfalls. The ability to maneuver through the challenges that life throws at you and endure the test of time takes genuine love.
This text is an excellent source of motivation if you are growing impatient with a habit your spouse has. It's perfect for when you are going through those rough patches and it will keep you going for years to come. Don't give up on your spouse, don't give up on your marriage. Keep going and keep loving your spouse earnestly.
Bible verses about being patient with others
Being patient helps us to exercise self-control and exist in harmony with each other. These texts are excellent examples of how to react in conflict while controlling your emotions and showing patience.
11. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:2 ESV
Not being able to meet a deadline, popping into meetings when they are about to end, or causing a group effort to look bad are things that will cause you to lose patience with someone. But have you stopped to think about what may be causing your friend or colleague to be repeatedly late?
Meanwhile you work together to solve this issue, be gentle, humble, and work together in love. Patience will benefit you and will motivate your friend to improve.
12. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. Proverbs 15:18 ESV
This text looks at two responses to conflict. Being hot tempered will yield a negative outcome while being patient and level headed will prevent further conflict and help to pacify heated situations.
It's better to allow emotions to calm down before working out an issue with someone. This way the matter may be addressed in a rational manner and relationships may be strengthened instead of broken.
13. Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32 ESV
Not all situations need might and force to be resolved. Respect, tact, and self-control is able to accomplish more in the long run than insults or a distasteful display of power.
Think about the opportunity that presented itself to David when Saul was found sleeping in the cave. He showed respect to "the Lord's anointed", acted out of love instead of anger, and proved to Saul that he meant no harm.
14. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 ESV
Sometimes there are some situations that we just have to hand over to God. It may be difficult to find a common ground to work things out or someone may be at odds with you for reasons unknown to you.
In these instances, the Psalmist encourages us to be patient with the Lord. Find strength and courage to endure knowing that nothing is too hard or noone is too broken for God to fix.
15. Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18 ESV
An important point to note from this text is, "the Lord waits". If we are His followers, we are to follow this example. He waits to be gracious to us therefore we should be gracious to others and wait on them.
Waiting also has an added bonus, "blessed are all those who wait for Him". Instead of acting hastily and being impatient with others, be long-suffering and in time a blessing will follow.
Bible verses about patience in hard times
There are many texts that encourage us to be hopeful as we experience difficult times. Here are some verses that will help to build faith and steadfastness.
16. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV
Waiting to recover from an illness, anticipating a challenge or being overly concerned about an unknown future may cause feelings of impatience and anxiety.
This text is a reminder not to be anxious but to take our concerns to God and leave them in His care. While we allow Him to work things out, we should take our minds off our problems and focus them on all the things we are thankful for.
Thanksgiving allows us to place our confidence in God. While we are busy giving thanks we will not have to worry about God's timing or being patient.
17. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25 ESV
It's hard to imagine: that situation at work getting any better, an end to being unappreciated and treated unfairly, your spouse changing a bad habit or your finances improving but that doesn't mean it's impossible.
Being optimistic about things working out for the better is easier to live with than thinking that things will only get worse. Having faith that the future has many hopeful possibilities will encourage you to keep going and trusting in God. As you endure be comforted by Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen".
18. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
This text offers a three-part solution to help when going through hard times. It tells us to look to the future, enduring our crucibles, and keeping a connection with God.
Finding something positive to think about will help us to be hopeful. Romans 5:3 tells us why we should be patient while going through tribulations. It states, "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance". Let us pray without ceasing as we strive to maintain our connection with God.
19. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 ESV
I am always encouraged by the motivation found in this text. Whatever it is that you are going through right now will not last forever. Struggles and challenges only happen briefly and while we go through them, we are to be reminded that God is merciful and compassionate and His favors last forever.
Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes with the morning. Comfort yourself with the thought that 'joy is coming'. It may take a day, week or year but your situation will not last forever. Be hopeful, have faith, and get ready to claim the joy that the Lord has in store for you.
20. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13 ESV
The key to surviving hard times is vigilance. This text not only encourages us to endure but reminds us that we will be saved from difficulties and ultimately this sin scarred world.
Hebrews 12:1 also provides some motivation for us as we go through hard times. It states, "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us". The race of faith is not for the swift but for those who are able to complete it. Don't turn back! Don't give up!
Bible stories about patience
There are many Bible stories that offer important lessons about patience. Let’s take a look at: Abraham, Jacob, David, and Job and see what lessons we may learn from them.
21. Abraham- A test of faith and patience (Genesis 21:5)
God made a promise to Abraham that his children shall be more than the dust of the earth or the sand of the sea. It took years before Abraham was able to have a child with his wife Sarah. In fact, he lived for an entire century before his wife gave birth to the child that the Lord had promised them. Genesis 21:5 stated, “Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born”.
Our blessings may not come at the moment when we expect them to, but they will always be given to us at the exact time that the Lord ordain for us to receive them.
22. It took years for Jacob to finally be with Rachel (Genesis 29:20)
The story of Jacob and Rachel is an inspirational love story. Jacob worked and patiently waited for the years to pass by to marry his true love. Genesis 29:20 stated that, “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her”.
Things will not always be the way we want them to be in a marriage but with the right amount of resilience, passion, and faith thing will work out for the better.
23. David’s long-suffering (1 Samuel 24)
David could have acted in vengeance and harm Saul while he was in the cave. If he did, he could have assumed the throne because he was appointed to be king. But instead of acting impulsively he waited patiently for God to protect him and mete out judgment upon Saul. David trusted God's timing and he remained resolute as he waited to become the king of Israel.
We too can have faith in God’s timing and allow him to intervene when we are having challenges with others.
24. Job persevered through his trials (Job 42:12)
Even though Job endured great loss and suffering he did not act impulsively or become angry with God. In the end his suffering and sorrow turned to joy and he was blessed with more than what he had before. Job 42:12 states, “And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginnings…”
Even though we may not understand the reason being the hardships we experience we know we serve a just and merciful God who saves and delivers. All we have to do is remain hopeful knowing He will never leave or forsake us.
Final thought on being patient
I pray that as you wait on God, experience hard times, relate to your spouse, and deal with others that you may, "be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy". (Colossians 1:11 ESV)
