So that the soul remains at home. Reflections on the Virtue of Patience

About patience

A series of brochures under the general title “Christian View” was compiled on the basis of the manuscript of a course of lectures on moral theology by the talented church scientist and writer G. I. Shimansky (1915-1970).
“The Christian View” is not just a statement of theoretical principles, but a story about the way of life befitting a Christian, about moral guidelines in the modern world. The brochure talks about the importance and necessity of patience, this most important Christian virtue, and the ways to acquire it. Published in abbreviation.

Concept of the virtue of patience

The name of patience in Greek - ύπομονή - in its philological meaning means “perseverance” [1] under action (pressure) from the outside. Latin church writers, for example the Monk John Cassian, associate the concept of patience with the subject of patience. Patience - patientia - gets its name from suffering[2] and enduring it[3]. Saint John Chrysostom defines patience as “the skill of enduring everything”[4].

The virtue of patience is inextricably linked with all Christian virtues and the entire structure of a Christian’s spiritual life. It is in close connection with zeal for a godly life and with constancy in goodness. Blessed Diadochos and other holy fathers combine the virtue of patience with humility. Humility is the source of patience; it is the parent and guardian of patience[5].

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk in the virtue of patience notes devotion to the will of God and His holy providence[6].

According to Blessed Diadochos, patience is unceasing firmness of spirit, combined with the aspiration of the spiritual eyes of the ascetic towards God[7]. This definition of patience is made in relation to the spiritual state of the ascetic (firmness and courage of the soul) and his attitude towards God, for whose sake he endures; That is why it is called patience because of God[8], who sends for his benefit what he must endure.

The hallmark of a patient person is courage. “He who does not have courage in his soul will not have patience either.”[9]. The Venerable Nile of Sinai, John Cassian, the ascetic Evagrius of Pontus, Blessed Antiochus (beginning of the 7th century), St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and other holy fathers point out in patience this basic trait: courage, fearlessness of soul and readiness to endure sorrows without complaint, willingly and generously. temptations from people, passions and demons.

According to this property of patience, it is closely related to meekness, having in itself such properties of the soul as generosity and self-sacrifice. Saint Gregory the Theologian points out that “he is generous who endures everything with complacency, and not to endure even a little is a sign of cowardice.”[10]

According to the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, Christian “asceticism requires patience and generosity... Patience is diligence of the soul, and diligence consists of both voluntary labor and enduring involuntary (sorrowful) temptations. The law of patience is the love of work; relying on them, the mind hopes to receive the promise of future benefits”[11].

The most complete definition of patience is given by Bishop Theophan: “Patience has two sides: being turned inward, it is constancy in goodness, and in this respect is not determined by anything external, but is an inseparable and everlasting feature of a good mood. Being turned to the outside world, it is endurance, the endurance of all difficulties encountered on the good path or in the fulfillment of good undertakings that are ripening within. This trait of patience cannot manifest itself if there are no sorrows.”[12]

According to the holy fathers, the following definition of patience can be made: it is constancy in goodness, firmness and courage of the soul, manifested in the uncomplaining, willing and generous enduring of life’s difficulties, sorrows and temptations, allowed by God to teach a Christian humility, love and devotion to the will of God and His Holy Providence.

Patience comes from enduring tribulations (see: Rom 5:3). The Holy Fathers point out that patiently enduring sorrows does not mean a Christian’s complete indifference, indifference, or complete insensitivity to them. On the contrary, feeling the full weight of suffering, deprivation, grief and other sorrows befalling him, a Christian, however, without grumbling, embarrassment and anger, steadfastly and cheerfully endures them for the sake of God, surrendering himself to the will of God in everything[13].

There is no patience in those who, due to any external inconveniences and sorrows in life, “become faint-hearted to the point of exhaustion” [14].

Tribulation befalls both godly and wicked people. But only pious Christians endure them patiently and generously.

When we succeed, it’s easy to be patient. The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated - when another car cuts us off on the road, when we are treated unfairly, when our colleagues once again ridicule our faith. Some people believe they have the right to be upset in the face of irritation or challenge. Impatience looks like righteous anger. However, the Bible celebrates patience as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) that should be demonstrated in the life of every follower of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Patience demonstrates our faith in God's timing, His omnipotence, and His love.

Although most people view patience as passive waiting or gentle tolerance, most of the Greek words translated “patience” in the New Testament are active, energetic words. Consider, for example, the text in Hebrews 12:1: “Since there are so many witnesses around us, we must lay aside the burden of clinging sin and run the race that lies before us patiently and persevering.” Do they participate in the race by passively waiting for slow people or reacting softly to cheaters? Naturally not! The word translated “patiently” in this text means “endurance.” The Christian runs the race patiently, overcoming difficulties. In the Bible, patience is persevering toward a goal, enduring trials, or waiting for promises to be fulfilled.

Patience does not develop overnight. God's strength and kindness are critical to developing patience. Colossians 1:11 tells us that He strengthens us to have “great patience and perseverance,” while James 1:3–4 tells us that trials are His way of perfecting our patience. It is further developed and strengthened as we trust God's perfect will and timing, even in the face of evil men who are “stuck in lies” (Psalm 36:7). Our patience will be rewarded in the end, “for the day of the Lord’s return is at hand” (James 5:7–8). “The Lord is good to those who trust in Him, who strive for Him!” (Lamentations 3:25).

Throughout the Bible we find many examples of people whose life with God was characterized by patience. James points us to the prophets as “examples of patience and perseverance in the face of suffering” (James 5:10). He also mentions Job, whose steadfastness was rewarded by “the end of life the Lord gave him” (James 5:11). Abraham also waited patiently and “obtained what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15). Jesus is our example of all things, and He demonstrated patient endurance: “For the joy that was set before Him, He, despising the shame, suffered death on the cross, and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

How is patience, which is a characteristic of Christ, demonstrated? First, we thank God. A person's first reaction is usually "Why me?", but the Bible says to rejoice in God's will (Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:6). Secondly, we must discern His purposes. Sometimes God puts us in difficult situations so that we can become His witnesses. On the other hand, He may allow testing to sanctify our character. Reminding us that His purposes are for our development and His glory will help us in the testing. Third, we remember His promises, such as in Romans 8:28, which tells us that “for those who love God, who have been called according to His purposes, He works all things out for good.” “Everything” includes our tests.

The next time you find yourself stuck in a traffic jam, a friend betrays you, or someone ridicules your testimony, how will you react? The natural reaction is intolerance, which leads to stress, anger and frustration. Thank God that we as Christians are no longer in the bondage of “natural reaction” because we are new creations in Christ himself (2 Corinthians 5:17). Instead, we have the Lord's strength to respond with patience and complete trust in Heavenly Father's power and purposes. “To those who sought after glory, honor, and immortality by persistence in good works, eternal life” (Romans 2:7).

Prayer 2, to the Lord

Prayers for the granting of patience and humility can be offered to God at home or in church. The main thing is a sincere desire to accept everything that the Lord has given us. After all, to endure all trials means to approach in your humility the image of Jesus Christ, who endured mortal torments in the name of our salvation. And this will be a step towards achieving at least a small resemblance to God.

Father of mercies and God of all comfort! I appeal to you in the name of Jesus Christ to grant me true Christian patience. Arm me with it against all sorrow, so that I may be patient in it, for it is very precious. Make me ready to lift up the cross of Christ, patiently bear it and firmly remain under it to the end. Drive away from me all murmuring and all annoyance of the flesh at the weight of the cross and the length of its time. Appear, O beloved Jesus, with Your patience under the cross and on the cross, appear before my eyes and my heart, so that by contemplating You I may be encouraged and strengthened to constantly endure everything. Do it, O patient Savior, so that I may not grow weary in my spirit, but with patience may I enter through suffering and sorrow into the Kingdom of God. I need to have patience so that, having fulfilled the will of God, I will receive what is promised. I ask him from You, to please me to fulfill my request!

Prayer 1, to the Lord

Understanding the need to patiently endure all the hardships that are sent to the test comes through the study of the Holy Scriptures. We can gain our sight through the knowledge of how kind and merciful the Lord is to us, humbling our pride and returning us to true values.

Praise be to You, Father of mercies and God of all consolation, that You never leave Your sufferers without visitation and consolation. To punish - You punish them, but You do not put them to death; although You are often the hidden God for them, You are the Savior of them all. Seal this consolation, O Lord, in my heart and make it true to me when disaster is near and there is no helper. Be my light when I sit in darkness; make sure that the knowledge of my sins and what they deserve produces in me true humility and patience. Strengthen the faith in me, as in Jacob, when trouble comes, so that I will fight and not let go of You until You bless me. Make sure that I do not run away from You in suffering, O my Shepherd, but that my cheerfulness increases and I become more zealous for Your prayer and praise. Open my mind, so that I understand the Scripture, learn from it Your ways, and in true silence of heart I completely and completely surrender to You, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord! Amen.

Forgotten Virtue

Our society places a premium on individualism and materialism and therefore values ​​ambition and action—or at least activity—above all else. And patience implies hardship and even some kind of self-denial.

Technological advances are only making the situation worse. Researchers found that about 50% of internet users don't watch a video unless it starts playing within 10 seconds. Moreover, users with a faster connection will instantly leave the page if it does not load completely right away. This suggests that technological progress is actually eroding our patience.

Prayer 3, to the Most Holy Theotokos

The Mother of God, an intercessor before God, always hears sincere prayers for the granting of patience. It can lighten the burden that God has placed on us. Therefore, asking her for help in trials is the surest way to gain humility. The Blessed Virgin does not refuse help to anyone if you pray sincerely and unceasingly. After all, prayer is not a one-time event, not a mantra that you read and everything goes away. You need to pray a lot, achieving understanding and sincerity in conversation with the Mother of God.

Assuage the sickness of my much-sighing soul, Who has quenched every tear from the face of the earth: You drive away the sicknesses of men and resolve the sorrows of sinners, For You give hope and affirmation to all who are acquisitive, O Most Holy One I am Mati Devo! You present yourself, O Good One, to all who come running with faith into Your sovereign protection: otherwise, sinners, not imams, come to God in troubles and sorrows, deliverance is known, burdening many with sins, Mother of God Most High Iago! Moreover, we fall down to You: deliver Your servants from every situation! No one who comes to You is put to shame and comes from You, Most Pure Virgin Mary: but he asks for grace and accepts the gift of useful petition. Fill, O Pure One, my heart with joy, Thy incorruptible joy that gives birth, the joy that gave birth to the Guilty One! Fill my heart with joy, O Virgin, who accepts fulfillment and consumes sinful sadness!