I don’t think patience comes naturally. Nor do I believe it is something we are born with but rather it is something we must learn. I believe some temperaments learn it quicker and better than others. I believe some of us only learn of its importance later in life. I think I lose my patience the most with drivers and waiting to speak to a person instead of a computer. So I would say that I lose my patience the most with people and not things so much. I don’t feel patience is promoted much in the society we live in today. We live in a ‘microwave’ society. We want everything and we want it now. Our parents work all their lives to buy a nice house and kids today think they deserve one while they are still in college.

James 1:  ^2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 

(James says we are to consider tests a gift and that we should have patience during those tests so that we can learn all they have to offer. It seems ironic that he is saying “Have patience while you learn patience.”)

Romans 5: ^3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! 

(Troubles develop patience; patience develops virtue (or goodness))

From these scriptures we can see that patience involves pain, trials, adversity and strain. Not a task easily accomplished

In the Bible, perseverance is often mentioned in the same verse as patience

Galatians 6:9. so let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit.

Hebrews 10:23. Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.

 Hebrews 10:36. You need to endure so that you can receive the promises after you do God’s will.

James 1:2-4. My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. ³ After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.

So what is the connection between patience and endurance? I think they go hand in hand. I can’t do one without the other. I also think they can be imbalanced.  Personally, I think I am able to endure more than I am able to have patience. I think learning to endure with patience is critical in making me a better person, which is why I have chosen it to be my focus for this year.

The Bible also frequently mentions a promise along with patience and perseverance

Psalm 37: ⁷ Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently (i.e. don’t be inpatient!) for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. ⁸ Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.  ⁹ For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Psalm 37:34Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.

Psalm 40: ¹ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.² He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. ³ He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

 Galatians 6:9. Let’s not get tired of doing well, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

God promises I will possess the land he has in store for me, that he will hear my cry and lift me up, setting my feet along the path he has planned and steadying my steps. He will give me a new song and a harvest if I will wait patiently and endure with perseverance.