Catholic Solution For Gaining Patience
“Patience is power.
Patience is not an absence of action;
rather it is "timing"
it waits on the right time to act,
for the right principles
and in the right way.”
- Bishop Fulton Sheen
“Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.”
- St. Teresa of Ávila
Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself.
- St. Francis De Sales
In a world such as ours with all the troubles that come within an inch from our noses to a mile away, how are we supposed to exercise patience? Some of us are naturally inclined to be low key and do not let life's little (or big) downs get to them. However, there others that seem to have been born with a short fuse and any amount of spark can make an explosion. Where this may be so for most, there are those that often vary in between the two extremes. Either way, patience is hard to come by on a daily basis. Though this may be true, we must understand that patience is not just having a good mood or even forcing it to make it through something but rather a virtue. We lose sight of this reality especially when we are in the heat of a moment that requires patience. Remember, that those that are deemed Blessed or Canonized as Saints did not only perform heavenly miracles but they also practiced virtues. These virtues that were practiced did not come by their own strength but by graces given by God. And guess what? Those holy men and women ASKED for the graces!
What must be understood is that patience, like many other virtues, is usually not given overnight, even if you labor in prayer the previous night. It is a process and a journey through which you will find easy paths and difficult ones; you will be tested lightly and heavily according to the strength God has granted you to endure. Think of obtaining perfection in virtue with an oak tree. You hold in your hand seeds to grow a massive oak tree that will surely surpass the lives of your grandchildren. You plant them, water them, and make sure that it gets plenty of sunshine and wouldn't you know it, it isn't fully grown over night! Well, of course it isn't! These seeds need the requirements that give cause for strength and fortification. Not only must the elements be proportioned (sunlight, water, soil, etc.) but there also must be a defense against pests that would surly devour the plant (bless yourself against the demonic).
There are many things that are of this world that seek to take away your peace, patience, and even your soul if you allow it. And don't think for one moment that just because you lose your patience that you are not affecting others either! Take the example of St. Peter on his way to say morning prayers and preside over Mass. Recall that whomever his shadow fell upon, they were healed of their afflictions. Why do you think that was? Well, of course God was the root cause but it was St. Peter who reciprocated communion with God that made it possible. What radiated from him fell onto others! So by carrying Christ within him and practicing the virtues that add to sanctification, the only result was blessings. In the same way, when you behold an angry person in the same room as you, you not only notice their anger by sight and sound but you also FEEL it too. What radiates from you will affect others. This is why there is no such thing as 'personal sin' but rather all sin affects us all. Therefore, think also of your neighbor that your impatience may make them stumble in their faith. Even for their sake, pray that you may patiently bear your sufferings so that you do not scandalize those who may have a weaker faith than you.
Above all, be gentle with yourself and recognize that failure to get it right is actually a part of the bumpy road. Being hard on yourself does nothing but show pride which has no place in Christ. For how can you say, “I cannot believe that I did that?!” Are you so great to not possibly comprehend that you might actually have to depend on God? So then wipe from you that air of nobility that you obtained from the cares of this world and start meditating on what is above. Think of the condition of your soul rather than the condition of the issues you face. Though your troubles may try your patience, look at these crosses as necessary pains for the cause of sanctity. Ask yourselves, “How can these issues help to make me holy?” Once you begin there, you may know that God is working patience in you. Pray fervently for the graces of patience but always seek to work with gentleness and a calm spirit. Anger and impatience only boils up when you work too fast without realizing the necessity for trials in your life. For all things work together for those that love and glory in the Lord. So my friends, with heroic patience, consider these words and be well.