I Never Pray for Patience

Unique Perspectives: I Never Pray for Patience

By Kim Stevens

I never, ever, ever, ever pray for patience. Here’s why:

I don’t need to.

You know my whole gig is about seeing things differently. It’s why I’ve been writing this blog every week for 108 weeks now. (Side note: 108 is an auspicious number, but I digress.)

Here’s what I believe—no, what I know: everything is perfect. Seriously. That’s what being spiritually awake means to me. Everything in God's world is unfolding exactly as it should.

So why on earth would I need patience? I don’t. Sometimes, I need a moment. A pause. A chance to regroup. A big dose of courage. A fresh perspective—maybe even a unique one. But patience? Nope.

If I can’t change something, patience won’t help me—it’ll only keep me stuck in the waiting room of life. And if I can change something, what I need isn’t patience—it’s courage.

That’s the secret: If I can’t change something—like another person—then my only job is to change my mind about it. Isn’t that thrilling? It means I never have to be patient again. I just have to shift how I see what’s happening. I LOVE that!

It’s all about choice. I always have the power to choose. Again and again and again. If I don’t like something, I can move away from it, reframe it, accept it, or find the miracle in it. But waiting? That’s optional.

Ask yourself: What am I choosing right now?

Let’s take an example: You feel stuck in a job you hate, but you stay because you need the money. Do you need patience? Or do you need courage?

Option 1: Quit. (Scary? Sure. But it’s a choice, not a waiting game.) Option 2: Ask for a different role that excites you. (Afraid your boss will say no? That’s not a patience problem—it’s a courage challenge.) Option 3: Learn a new skill to shift careers. (Yep, courage again!) Option 4: Find gratitude where you are. Acknowledge the lessons, the people, the unexpected gifts. (No patience required—just a new lens.)

I’m not saying I don’t let out a huge sigh now and then when I think I have to wait for something or someone. I do. But I don’t stay there. The truth is, so many people live in silent wait—hoping things will get better, not realizing how good things already are, or believing they’re powerless to change them.

Once I have the wisdom to know whether something can be changed, the next step is simple: If I can change it, I need the courage to take action. If I can’t, I need the courage to shift my mindset.

Either way… what’s there left to be patient about?