In a world which is focused on instant gratification, speed, & overnight success the virtue of patience is a difficult lesson to learn. In fact, patience is so often misunderstood and thought of as inactiveness or submission; but in truth, it is neither of these things.

True patience is a loving action and not inaction. And it is a cornerstone of spiritual development because it is an activity which awakens the divine within us. For, “in patience we possess our souls.” (Luke 21:19)

Cultivating patience requires that we attune to our true inner essence. This can be encouraged & learned through spiritual disciplines such as prayer & meditation. And as we begin to connect with our “Self” and start to develop true patience, we learn & see how we should act, rather than just blindly reacting, to what the world brings at us. (Or should I say what we bring upon ourselves.)

Now patience isn’t just not getting mad or angry; or even simply tolerating things. Patience is becoming aware of what comes at us and overcoming unhealthy reactions to people & situations by reacting in the most appropriate way possible. Patience is saying and doing what is right; rather than just saying and doing what we want. It teaches us to look for the Spark of God within every person and to realize that the eye of God is always aware of us and that therefore we should be acting in the most ideal way we can.

If we were consistently aware of this truth & consciously understood that God is always able to see each & everything that we do & thought we have, then how many of us would react in some of the ways that we do? We are God’s chlidren and to fully realize Him within us we need to start learning how to act.

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When we can look past the faults of others and see spark of God within them, then we are on the road to manifesting true patience. And when we come to fully understand how much God loves us in spite of all our own shortcomings we can understand the patience that we need to have with others.

We must remember that we are all brethren walking the same path. The goal & destination for all of us is the same. The only difference is we are not all at the same point in our travels.  And just as God has been patient with us in our walk, we in the same way must be patient with others. Therefore, we shouldn’t be condemning, critical, or judgmental; but rather helpful and of service to others. We should be a shoulder for our weary brethren to lean upon & help to carry them along the path. We should be removing any obstacles that may be in the way, rather than placing more before others feet.

God bless you in your own spiritual journey & remember to always Heed the Spirit,

Anthony