Patience and perseverance

Thursday, 16 Sept 2021

During the recent restrictions brought about by the Covid virus my thoughts and contemplations have been centred on the subject of ‘patience and perseverance’.

In the society that we are a part of that promotes, expects, and thrives on getting things done immediately Covid restrictions is really testing us all.

How do feel when you’re waiting in a slow-moving line? Maybe waiting for a Covid test?  Patience is a prerequisite. Calmly tolerating delays is necessary, we can show patience by not complaining or losing our temper in times of waiting.

Most of us would be familiar with that cliched saying, "Patience is a virtue." Current circumstances have reinforced the fact that patience along with perseverance really is a virtuous thing!

How do we define patience and perseverance?

Patience is the ability to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. Meanwhile, perseverance refers to continued steady belief or efforts in spite of discouragement or difficulty and is one of the most difficult qualities to develop in this fast paced and impatient world. We want everything, we want it our way, and we want it now! 

What is perseverance and why is it important? 

Perseverance can be summed up to mean you’re committed to your goal. Perseverance that’s the key to a successful life. If you keep persevering long enough, you will achieve your true potential. 

Patience and perseverance are essential for achieving any goal. 

It is simply the nature of the world in which we live and work. Achieving things takes time and process. Patience is essential because there will always be problems. No one said life would be easy.  Trials will come into our lives.  That is a guarantee. We can use our trials as opportunities for growth.

Why Patience is a virtue? 

Exhibiting patience means that you can be persistent and stay in something for the long run. Patience is a virtue because it requires self-control. It requires you to have the insight to think about other people and their happiness.

Why do we need patience? 

It is important to be patient and keep going to reach your goals. Once we learn the importance of patience, we can stop worrying when things take longer than we 

The patience of Jesus Christ is seen in his relationships with people and in his perseverance through trial and suffering. While the patience of Christ is exceptional in many respects, the basic features of this virtue are surely the same wherever it appears. Patience involves such things as self-control, humility, and generosity, all of which are themselves virtues. So one might say that patience is a virtue because it's an exercise of several other virtues.

Rev David Morgan
Chaplain