Whoever is patient has great understanding
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
One of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit is Patience. Patience is the virtue of enduring affliction and injury. An immediate example comes to mind. I receive 30-40 calls on my cellphone, dealing with matters medical, which are scammer calls. I decline them and mark them as unwanted calls. These calls come from different numbers. It takes great patience on my part to keep my composure and patience, trying to do other things while being so rudely interrupted. Holy Spirit, please give me endurance and strength.
“Patience is the ability to stick with things and not to be derailed by adversity: it is calm determination.” (DiMauro1) “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” Prov. 14:29. Why is impatience harmful? First of all, it harms us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It also harms our relationship with others. Impatience easily turns to anger or even violence, and these are the opposite of God’s plan for us. Scripture tells us one of the fruits of the Spirit is patience.
Patience is a gift from God! As the Spirit produces patience in us, He is making us more Christlike. Christ is even now patiently awaiting the completion of the Father’s plan. (see Hebrews 10:12-13)
God is patient with sinners. Romans 2:4 says that God’s patience leads us to repentance. See also Romans 9:22, and 1 Tim 1:16. God is patient, and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in us.
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
September 11, 2026
- 1 Deacon Joe DiMauro (1949-2022), “The Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,” p. 63-5. This was published for St. Helen Parish, Charismatic Prayer Group, where he and I were members. Used with permission.