There are 2 kinds of patience mentioned in the Bible; one of them is in relation to people and one in relation to situations. Colossians 3:12 tells us to “clothe ourselves” by wearing various attributes, one of which is “patience (which is tireless and longsuffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper) (Col 3:12b; AMPC). This is obviously referring to people and the Greek word used here is makrothumia and it means being patient with those people who try us and offend us, being longsuffering and slow to get angry. This word is used for patience in the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. (See also Heb 6:12, 1 Cor 13:4, Eph 4:2, Col 1:11, 2 Tim 3:10, 4:2 and 1 Thess 5:14.) Lord, help us to exercise this kind of patience with our families and friends.

The Greek word used for patience in dealing with adverse situations is hupomone which means not caving in when in trying circumstances. An example is found in James 1:2-3, “My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (NKJV).

It is interesting that patience goes hand in hand with faith; when we don’t get the answer to our prayers immediately, we need to wait patiently, in faith until the answer comes. It is patience that holds our faith steady. “So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb 6:12; ESV).