The Character of God - God is Patient

"For they loving kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in thy truth." Psalm 26:3 KJV

I think most Christians accept the fact that God is love, but I think we don't often understand what that love is. One of the most startling things I ever did was apply the principles of 1 Corinthians 13 to God's character:

God is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. God isn't gleeful when people suffer because of their sins, but delights in truth. Love always bears up, always trust, always hopes, always endured. God's love never ends.

God is patient, or long-suffering, able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. He waits for us to know him and understand him, and doesn't become annoyed or anxious when we fail.

The timeline God operates on is so vastly different from ours. What is a lifetime for us is only a moment to him. When we look at ourselves or others, we often want instant improvement, but God sees us in terms of eternity. We need to be more patient with others, and ourselves, and keep eternity in mind.