35 Inspiring Bible Verses About Patience

Need some encouragement to be more patient with God, with others, and with your circumstances? These Bible verses about patience will infuse peace, hope, and trust into your soul.

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Have you ever heard the old saying patience is a virtue? Well, it IS true! Patience is a valuable skill to develop useful for all the many situations in life that require us to wait.

And yet, in this modern life our patience has run thin! At a time when its perfectly normal (and highly expected) to buy already-grown-for-you food at the grocery store, and get fast food delivered to your door, and lets not even get started about how easy it is to order everything from books to clothes to home dcor on Amazon and have it delivered within hours.

All in all, I know I speak for myself and probably you too, when I say that were very spoiled and increasingly impatient!

Waiting for things or people to grow, for seasons to change, for God to answer our prayers, or just waiting for the water to boil so you can cook the pasta already, can seem like such a drag sometimes.

But, the power of patience in the Bible is clear! When we look at the Biblical definition of patience, it is simply to wait well, with hope and expectation to be still before God, to trust Him, and not jump ahead in our eagerness to force things to happen (or get angry or upset when things dont happen as we want them to).

Patience is the skill of enduring peacefully—not getting agitated or antsy, angry at someone, or losing trust in God—but instead knowing that Gods got this! And so, we can be patient with God, with our circumstances, and with each other.

35 Inspiring Bible Verses About Patience

Considering that there are so many different aspects of patience, I decided to group these Bible verses about patience into five different sub-categories. Click the shortcuts below to jump ahead, if you wish:

Quick Links:
Verses 1-6: Bible Verses About Gods Patience With Us
Verses 7-14: Bible Verses About Patience With God
Verses 15-21: Bible Verses About Being Patient With Others
Verses 21-27: Bible Verses About Patience in Hard Times
Verses 28-35: Bible Verses About Patience and Perseverance

Bible Verses About Gods Patience With Us

In any discussion about the power of patience in the Bible, I think its important to start with HOW PATIENT GOD IS WITH US! If youve ever gone your own selfish way, spiraled into sin, or just stopped praying because you were too busy (GUILTY!), and then finally ran back to God like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), you know how true this is.

It just blows my mind how God waits for us to come around, sometimes after years or even decades, and we find that He never gave up on us??? These verses about Gods timing
and patience with us are so powerful…

1) Psalm 103:8 (NIV)

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

2) Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

3) 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

4) 1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

5) Romans 2:4 (NLT)

Dont you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Cant you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

6) 2 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV)

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lords patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

Bible Verses About Patience With God

At this point, you might be thinking, Sure, God is patient with us. But, what does the Bible say about Gods timing and how we are to be patient with His plan for our lives? Certainly, we can all use the reminder to trust Gods timing more. I hope these Bible verses about patience with God inspire you to wait for Him expectantly!

7) Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)

Show me the right path, O LORD;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.

8) Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

9) Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

10) Psalm 130:5-6 (NIV)

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

11) Lamentations 3:25-27 (NIV)

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

12) Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

13) Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

14) Hebrews 6:13-15 (NIV)

When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, I will surely bless you and give you many descendants. And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Bible Verses About Patience With Others

Yes, the Bible tells us to cut each other some slack! It may be tough, but just as God is patient with you and I, we should also be merciful and gracious with others. These Bible verses about patience with others are full of good wisdom to help us do that… things like being humble and forgiving are so important.

15) Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

16) Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

17) 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

18) Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

19) 2 Timothy 4:2 (NLT)

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

20) 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV)

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

21) 2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT)

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

Bible Verses About Patience in Hard Times

Jesus made it clear that we would have troubles (John 16:33), but He also said He would be with us through them (Matthew 28:20). But oh, enduring trials is still not easy! If youre walking through difficulty, I pray these Bible verses about patience in hard times will encourage you tremendously.

22) Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

23) Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

24) Hebrews 10:34-36 (NLT)

You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do Gods will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

25) James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

26) James 5:10-11 (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Jobs perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

27) 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (NIV)

Therefore, among Gods churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
All this is evidence that Gods judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

Bible Verses About Patience and Perseverance

Finally, for those times in life when we just have to WAIT for growth, for learning a new skill, for adjusting to a new situation, and so on and so forth these Bible verses about patience and perseverance are a balm to the waiting soul. I hope you find them encouraging on your journey!

28) Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.

29) Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

30) Romans 8:25 (NIV)

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

31) Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV)

The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.

32) James 5:7-8 (NIV)

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lords coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lords coming is near.

33) Revelation 3:11 (AMP)

I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith].

34) Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

35) 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT)

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to Gods promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I do hope youve found these Bible verses about patience helpful! If you find yourself struggling with impatience (as I often do!), try writing down a few of these verses to memorize and/or meditate on as you go about your day.

Want to see patience in action? Check out these 7 Stories of Patience in the Bible, and prepare to be inspired by the ways each person waited to see Gods promises fulfilled!

Hi! Thank you so much for visiting Divine Creative Love. I’m a Jesus-lovin’ girl, lettering artist, designer, and general creative-at-heart. And, I have narcolepsy. I blog about faith in God, overcoming challenges, and creative topics such as Bible journaling. If you’re new here, be sure and subscribe to my list so you won’t miss anything!