Repeatedly in the scriptures we see the Savior’s patience—with His disciples, with the multitude, with the Pharisees. He patiently taught gospel truths, despite their difficulty in processing them. He patiently showed civic duty by paying taxes though He was the Son of God. And patiently modeled forbearance, as when He had fed the 5,000 and then later suggested feeding the 4,000 also. The disciples still questioned how it could be done. The Savior replied, “Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?”
Even in the Savior’s own exhaustion, asleep on the ship, He patiently assuaged the fearful disciples. “And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” He could have been angry, or impatient, or told them to solve it themselves.
Do we recognize the endless patience the Savior shows us? How often we barely acknowledge His hand or presence in our lives, but when trials come upon us, we plead fearfully, and tearfully, for relief. Then having received it, go on our merry way, forgetting Him once again.
Just for today, how can you more fully thank Him for the patience He shows you?
Best,
Connie
