God's Love is Patient

What comes to mind when you think of God? At one time, I pictured Him as sitting on a throne in the clouds. From those great heights, He watched everything I did and marked down what I did wrong in His book. My conception of God was as a judge ready to condemn me at every turn. I didn't know or understand our Lord's great love for each of us. 

It’s hard for us to understand what God is like. We see God’s characteristics as more human—like us. We may see God’s love, patience, and kindness as mere superficialities. How could a God like that put up with us humans? We are arrogant, stubborn, impatient, and more. 

Thankfully, the Bible gives verses like Isaiah 55:9 NKJV: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” We can’t measure God according to our humanness. His love is deeper, broader, wider, and higher. God’s love and patience are way more than we can muster up. 

When we read through 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," we find a thorough description of what love truly is. Many of us are familiar with this chapter, as it’s often read during weddings or as a reminder of the characteristics of love in Christian life. But today, let’s focus on the very first quality that Paul attributes to love: patience. 

The verse reminds us that love is patient, kind, and not quick to anger or frustration. This kind of love is not hurried, nor does it demand instant results. It is steadfast, enduring, and gentle, no matter how long it may take.

God’s Love is Patient

God’s love for us is the ultimate example of patience. Think about the way God interacts with His people. From the beginning of the Bible all the way through to the present day, God’s patience is evident. He is slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). He does not rush us to perfection or demand instant change. Rather, He lovingly gives us the time, grace, and space to grow into the people He created us to be, as we read in Romans 2:4. 

When we fail or falter, God’s love is not quick to condemn or punish, like the picture of God I had at one time—the great Judge sitting on His throne, ready to condemn. Instead, His love is patient and longsuffering (Strong’s #G3115. According to Merriam-Webster, longsuffering means patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship). 

God loves us even when we cause Him offense, make things harder, etc. God’s love is constant, patient, and slow to anger. Does our Lord have to discipline us at times? Yes, He does, but our Father does this with love and for our own good. We learn from God’s love and discipline—we grow and become more mature Christians through His love. 

Our Father doesn’t give up on us or abandon us in our weaknesses. God’s patience is rooted in His deep desire to see us grow, learn, and return to Him when we stray.

God Waits for Us to Grow

One of the most beautiful aspects of God’s patience is that He waits for us. He waits for us to come to Him, to grow in our understanding, and to mature in our faith. Consider how God interacted with the Israelites in the Old Testament: 

The Golden Calf (Exodus 32): the Israelites made a golden calf to worship while Moses was on the mountain. God was angry and considered destroying them; however, Moses interceded. God relented and spared them in His great patience, giving them another chance to repent. 

The Wilderness Wanderings (Numbers 14): despite the Israelites repeatedly complaining and doubting God during their 40 years in the wilderness, God showed patience by providing them with manna, water, and guidance, allowing them time to grow together as a people and learn to trust Him as their God. 

The Book of Judges (Multiple accounts): over and over, the Israelites turned away from God by worshipping idols and doing other things. Yet, in His patience and love, God raised up Judges to deliver them each time they repented, showing His enduring love and mercy. 

The Book of Jonah: God showed patience with the wicked city of Nineveh. When the people repented at Jonah’s preaching, God didn’t destroy them as they deserved. Instead, He showed mercy and allowed them to experience His loving patience. Jonah 4:2 NKJV says, “...for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.” God shows His love and forbearance, including toward those who oppose Him. The people of Niveah were not Israelites—they were Assyrians, who were living in wickedness and sin. Yet, God sent Jonah to warn the people they would face God’s wrath if they did not repent. 

Similarly, Jesus showed incredible patience with His disciples in the New Testament. They often misunderstood His teachings, struggled with doubt, and displayed a lack of faith. Yet Jesus patiently taught them, even correcting them with love when they faltered. His patience toward His followers and toward us is a beautiful reminder that we are never too far gone for God to reach us.

The Bible is filled with examples that demonstrate God's incredible patience and love toward us, His people. He gives us multiple chances to turn to Him despite our repeated disobedience. 

Does this mean we should try God’s anger and continue in sin? No. His judgment will surely follow—maybe not immediately, but it will come. The goal is to learn from our mistakes, repent of our sins, follow Him in obedience, and love our Lord. 

God’s Love is Not Quick to Anger

In contrast to the world’s standards of love, which may be quick to anger or demand perfection, God’s love is unhurried and patient. Psalm 103:8 NKJV reminds us, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." This is a theme that repeats throughout Scripture. God is not quick to respond in judgment. He does not fly off the handle when we make mistakes or grow frustrated with us when we don't get things right. Instead, His patience is a sign of His love. He chooses to give us time, to correct us gently, and to lead us with compassion.

Romans 2:4 NKJV offers a powerful reminder of God's character: "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" God’s patience is not passive—it is active. It is purposeful. His kindness and forbearance toward us are meant to lead us to repentance, to turn us back toward Him. His love is not indulgent or enabling of sin, but it gives us the opportunity to reflect, repent, and return to the right path.

The Patience of Christ

Perhaps the clearest and most powerful example of God’s patience is found in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. As the Son of God, He could have immediately judged humanity for its sin and disobedience. He could have come in power and wrath, punishing all who had turned away from God. But instead, Jesus came humbly, demonstrating incredible patience in His love for us. He patiently endured rejection, betrayal, and suffering in order to fulfill the Father’s will and offer salvation to the world.

In 1 Timothy 1:16 NKJV, Paul reflects on this patience when he writes, "However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." Here, "longsuffering" is the same Greek word as before—Strong's #G3115, which means "patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, slowness in avenging wrongs." (See link above for #G3115). 

Paul acknowledges that Christ’s patience toward him—despite his past of persecuting and killing Christians—was not only a personal act of mercy but also a demonstration for all believers. Christ’s patience shows us that no one is beyond His reach. No matter how far we have strayed, He patiently waits for us to come to Him.

God Calls Us to Be Patient Like Him

As recipients of God’s patient love, we are called to reflect that same patience in our relationships with others. It’s not always easy. We live in a world that demands instant results and quick fixes. But true love, the love that God calls us to embody, is patient. It doesn’t rush to anger, doesn’t force change upon others, and doesn’t give up when things get difficult.

In James 5:7 NKJV, we are reminded to "Be patient then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains." Just as a farmer patiently waits for the seasons to bring the harvest, we are called to wait patiently for God’s work to unfold in our lives and the lives of those around us. Sometimes, it takes time for growth and change to occur. But God is at work, even when we can’t see it.

In our relationships, whether with family, friends, or colleagues, we can reflect God’s patience by extending grace to those who may be struggling or failing. When we show patience, we model God’s love for others, allowing them the time and space they need to grow and change. Patience creates an environment where people feel safe, valued, and loved, which leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships.

Reflection

Take some time today to reflect on how God's patience has been evident in your life. How has He waited for you to grow, learn, and change? Perhaps you can think of times when you were stubborn or slow to respond to God's call, yet He remained patient with you. How does His patient love impact your walk with Him?

Consider also how God’s patience affects your relationships with others. Are there people in your life who need you to extend more patience? Maybe there are areas in your life where you are struggling with impatience, and God is calling you to trust Him more fully. Reflect on how His patient love can transform not only your heart but also the hearts of those around you.

Final Thoughts

God's love is patient and a powerful force for change. As we learn about His patience with each of us, may we be inspired to love others in the same way. 

God bless,

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