Are You Impatient?

Waiting on God sometimes means patiently remaining where you are until God grants you permission to proceed. Patience is not passive. It is active trust in God’s timing. Long-suffering means trusting that God’s timing is not broken—even when it feels late.

James 5:7-8: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

In the New Testament, “patience” often translates to the Greek word Hupomone, which means endurance under difficult circumstances.

‘ Patience’ means an emotional calm even under pressure and provocations. The ability to endure hardship, delay, and even injustice without losing faith, hope, or love.

The Bible shows us that long-suffering is not natural—it is supernatural, a fruit of the Spirit.

We cannot produce this quality with our human efforts. It is part of the ninefold fruit developed in believers by the Holy Spirit, representing patient endurance, slowness to anger, and forbearance toward others' faults, reflecting God's character.

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”

The word ‘patience’ is translated as ‘long-suffering’ in the King James version. It is patience under pressure.

The best example of long-suffering is in the behaviour of our Lord Jeus in each of the three trials he endured the night before His crucifixion.

Matthew 27:11-14

“Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed”.

Our Lord was calm and was long-suffering. He knew he was God and was standing before simple human beings. He had the authority to command angels, bring down fire from above or do some supernatural works to show His deity and power. But He held his peace. He knew, He was at the centre of the perfect will of His Father. His life was totally surrendered to the will of His Father.

In John 6:38, we read “"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me"

God’s nature of long-suffering is evident in His forgiveness of sins. You and I know, we are at the mercy and favour of God. How many times, knowingly and unknowing we fail Him yet He is compassionate and long-suffering with us.

Psalms 103:8-10

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities”.

If God had not been long-suffering with us, none of us would stand.

1 Timothy 1:16

"But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life”.

When we say we are the followers of Christ, we need to follow the Lord in His foot-steps of living. That’s the very reason, He has given us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces the qualities of Christ in us and we become the images of Christ in this sin infested world.

A. We Must Be Patient When We Wait Upon The Lord

Psalms 37:7

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him,"

We read in Isaiah 55:8

““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.

Waiting on God sometimes means patiently remaining where you are until God grants you permission to proceed. God has a time for everything. He knows the perfect time for us. We may become impatient. God tells us to wait.

Do we ever give our children what they ask, instantly? Do we give them everything they ask? No sensible father would do it. Providing everything at their demand will harm them. Some of the things they ask would put them in danger though they do not know it.

Long-suffering means trusting that God’s timing is not broken—even when it feels late.

Joseph was betrayed, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. But he waited for God' s time. He patiently waited until God' s promises came to pass. He knew God was in control. He submitted to God’s authority. He never rebelled with his circumstances. He never accused anyone. He knew God had a purpose for Him in allowing all those circumstances. Those terrible experiences of his life shaped him to be what we found in him later on the throne of Egypt.

Job lost everything—his wealth, his children, his health—yet he endured. He questioned, he grieved, but he did not abandon God. He didn’t give up when his wife asked him to curse God and die. He waited patiently for God’s time for him. His wife, his friends and all his circumstances were against him. Everyone discouraged him, yet he trusted in God.

My brothers & sisters, we are in the new covenant age. How much more we need to rely on God. We have a Lord who is our intercessor. He would never allow anything beyond what we can bear.

1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”.

We have been given the Holy Spirit as our helper. If we seek Him, He helps us in the times of our need. We have the Word of God, which tells us the will of God concerning our lives. We see the examples of godly men and women in the Bible who endured hardships and shame to inherit the divine promises they had from the Lord.

Why Does God Allow Long Seasons of Suffering?

1. To Build Character

Romans 5:3-5

“Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope”.

Trials produce endurance, and endurance produces maturity.

2. To Deepen Faith

James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance".

Faith grows strongest in the dark.

3. To Reveal God’s Glory

2 Corinthians 4:17

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison".

Sometimes God delays so that His power can be seen more clearly later.

B. We Must Be Patient While We Wait Upon Each Other

Ephesians 4:2

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” —

Colossians 3:12–13

“Bear with each other and forgive one another…”

The Bible says, we have been predestined to become conformable to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time of waiting, we are being re-shaped through deburring our rough edges so that we can have true fellowship with each other.

Church is the place where we are shaped and made good citizens of heaven. When we face difficult brothers and sisters around us, who are with different temperament than we are- we truly need to submit to God to have grace to fellowship with them. This will eventually shape up our character.

Patience doesn’t mean approving wrong—it means responding with grace.

Remember how patient God has been with you.

Be patient with your life partner. Be patient with your children. Be patient with your fellow believers. Be patient with your work colleagues. Be patient with strangers in the public place. Be patient on the road. Be patient at work. Be patient at home.

God teaches us to be patient with others.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.

Galatians 6:1

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”.

Fellowship means being concerned about the lives of others who are sitting next to Us.

2 Peter 3:9

God is patient, “not wanting anyone to perish.”

Theological Insight

God’s patience is:

Redemptive — gives time for repentance.

Relational — sustains covenant with imperfect people.

C. We Must Be Patient While We Wait For The Lord’s Return

The promise of the Lord’s return is one of the greatest hopes we have as believers. Jesus Himself said He would come again. That promise has never failed, and it never will. But the question for us today is not if He will return—it is how we will live while we wait.

Patience is not passive. It is active trust in God’s timing.

Think about a farmer. He plants the seed, but he cannot rush the harvest. He waits through rain, sun, and seasons, trusting that in time, the crop will come. In the same way, we are called to remain faithful, even when we do not see immediate results.

Sometimes waiting can feel discouraging. We may wonder, “Lord, how long?” But Scripture reminds us that God is not slow in keeping His promises. His timing is perfect. What feels like delay to us is often mercy—giving more people time to turn to Him.

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”.

Waiting becomes meaningful when it is filled with purpose.

We must also guard our hearts during this time. Impatience can lead to doubt, and doubt can weaken our faith. But when we fix our eyes on the Lord, we are strengthened. Remember: every day that passes brings us one step closer to His return.

Our Lord said in Matthew 24:12

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold”.

Let us not grow weary in doing good. Let us not lose hope. Instead, let us be like watchful servants—ready, faithful, and full of expectation.

One day, the waiting will end. The Lord will return. And on that day, all our patience, all our faith, and all our perseverance will be worth it.

There are so many distractions around us. The media, entertainment, pride of this life, our day to day life schedules, friends around us, opposition from others, persecutions for faith, and many more distractions!

We need to stay focussed on the Lord and His promise. Keep meditating the Scriptures. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit every moment of our life. The Bible warns us- these are evil times!

Ephesians 5:16

“These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do”.

Stand firm. Be patient. Trust in the Lord all the time.

James 5:7 “"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord”. 

By Pastor Renji George

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Timothy 1:16, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Peter 3:9, Colossians 3:12, Colossians 3:12-13, Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 5:16, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 6:1, Isaiah 55:8, James 1:2-4, James 5:7, James 5:7-8, John 6:38, Matthew 24:12, Matthew 27:11-14, Psalm 103:8-10, Psalm 37:7, Psalms 103:8-10, Psalms 37:7, Romans 5:3-5

Sermon Topics: Compassion, Trust, Perseverance, Endurance, Suffering, Patience, Distractions, Longsuffering, Lord's Return, Coming Back, Lord's Coming, Valley Of Death, Fruit Of The Spirit, Word, Waiting, Persistance, Valley Of Bakha, Tears Before God