Six Ways to Help Cultivate Patience
“By your patience you will save your souls.” (Lk 21:19)
All of us must strive to practice patience. But of primary importance, and Saint Ignatius of Loyola insists on this, we must beg for the grace from God to be patient.
Therefore, i would like to offer a brief strategy, a clear and practical video on how we can eventually, with the help of God’s grace, attain that most important and most needed virtue of patience. With God’s grace all is possible. Or, if you like: “Nothing is impossible with God!” (Lk 1:37)
- God’s Infinite and Permanent Love
God loves you. Most of us have heard this countless times, such that it may seem to be a trite, a common phrase, a pious platitude, a common cliché. However, this short but most profound Biblical truth must descend from our head to our heart and it is this: God really and truly loves me! Most certainly we have heard and read this truth numerous times, but maybe it is like water running off a duck’s back in that it has never really sunk into the depths of our heart.
In a word, are we really convinced not only that God is love, but also that this God of love has an infinite and permanent love for me in all times, all places, and all circumstances? And yes, it must be stated, God loves me even when I fail Him due to my moral failures that we call sin.
- Contemplate the Crucifix
- Ask for Grace
Saint Augustine states: “We are all beggars before God.” That means we are all in dire need of God’s help at all times and in all places because we are very weak. It is so true that we are weak; however, God is strong.
As the Psalmist reminds us: “Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Ps 124:8) Even the great Apostle Paul cried out: “When I am weak, it is then that I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10)
- Make the Way of the Cross
On one occasion, I was speaking to a Spiritual Director and he made this comment: “When I find myself in a state of desolation when things appear to be dark, dreary, and hopeless, I make the Stations of the Cross and inevitably the desolation disappears.” I believe this can be applied to patience.
When you feel as if the weight of the cross is unbearable, not able to be supported for another minute, then slowly walk the Way of the Cross with the Lord and you will receive renewed strength and vitality!
With Saint Francis of Assisi may we pray: “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”
- Honest Conversation With Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph
Our prayer, to be authentic, must be honest. Indeed, if we find our life situation very difficult, to the point of being almost impossible, then it is time to sit down in front of Jesus. You might also invite Saint Joseph and Mary to be present, and then pour out your heart to your Best Friends—Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph.
- Meditate Upon Heaven—Your Ultimate Destiny
It must be stated with bold truth: we do not meditate or contemplate enough on the reality of heaven.
Our life is very short, like the flower that rises in the morning and withers and dies as the sun goes down or like smoke blown by the wind. Saint Augustine states that our life in comparison with eternity is a mere blink of an eye. Our Lady of Fatima said that if humanity would only meditate upon eternity, they would be converted immediately!
