Waiting isn’t easy—but it’s often where God does His deepest work. The Holy Spirit grows patience in us when we stop demanding perfect timing and start trusting perfect wisdom.
Patience shows up right in the middle of the fruit of the Spirit list (Galatians 5:22–23), and that alone should tell us something. It’s not just a nice trait to have—it’s evidence that the Spirit is working in your life. Because let’s be honest: patience doesn’t come naturally. It grows when we let go of control.
And in a world that prizes speed, productivity, and instant results, patience isn’t just rare—it’s radical.
What’s the Opposite?
The opposite of patience is restlessness.
Restlessness isn’t just about being busy—it’s that constant inner itch that says, “This should be happening faster.” It shows up in traffic, in conversations, in spiritually dry seasons. It fuels frustration when plans fall through and makes us doubt God’s timing.
But here’s the truth: if we only trust God when He’s fast (according to our pace), we don’t really trust Him.
The Holy Spirit teaches us to slow down—to trust that delay doesn’t mean denial, and silence doesn’t mean absence.
Patience That Stays When It’s Difficult
In Mark 9, Jesus’s disciples were arguing about which of them was the greatest—right after He told them He was going to suffer and die. Instead of rebuking them harshly, Jesus sat down and patiently taught them again.
That’s patience. Not passive endurance, but active grace.
Patience doesn’t mean we enjoy waiting. It means we trust God enough to stay steady while we do.
And the Spirit helps us do exactly that—not by gritting our teeth, but by softening our hearts.
How to Know You’re Growing in Patience
Patience isn’t just measured by how long you wait—it’s how you act while you wait.
You’ll know the Spirit is growing patience in you when:
- You don’t rush to fix things that God is still shaping.
- You respond to others with grace instead of snapping back.
- You endure slow seasons without giving up.
- You stay faithful even when you’re not seeing results.
Patience is the quiet confidence that God is still moving—even when you don’t feel like it.
One Step Today
Here’s a question worth asking:
“Where in my life do I need to slow down and trust God’s pace?”
Patience isn’t weakness—it’s strength surrendered. And when the Spirit produces it in your life, it changes how you treat others, how you respond to stress, and how you wait on God.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
