Proverbs 14:29 teaches that patience reflects wisdom and understanding, while quick-tempered reactions often lead to regret and foolishness. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker shares her personal struggle with impatience, anxiety, and the desire for control, revealing how God helped her gradually cultivate patience through growth, flexibility, prayer, and dependence on Him.

This devotional reminds believers that patience is not developed overnight but is part of spiritual maturity and the fruit of the Spirit. Through prayer, intentional thinking, and trusting God in frustrating moments, Christians can learn to respond with peace rather than anger. Whether facing delays, unmet expectations, or everyday inconveniences, God faithfully helps His children grow in patience as they rely on His strength and guidance.

Highlights
Patience often develops through difficult and frustrating seasons.
Anxiety and the desire for control can contribute to impatience.
God strengthens believers when they turn to Him during stressful moments.
Filling waiting seasons with productive or meaningful activities can help cultivate patience.
Proverbs 14:29 connects patience with wisdom and understanding.
Quick-tempered reactions often damage our witness and relationships.
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows over time through dependence on God.

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Full Transcript Below:

Cultivating Patience
By: Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29). 

Patience is something most of us have struggled with at various times in our lives. As a teen, I remember struggling immensely with patience as I was obsessed with routines. If something didn’t go as planned, I would get stressed. I now know this was due to an underlying anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But back then, I had no idea. 

My lack of patience and desire for order made life challenging for my entire family. My mom was worried about my behavior and spoke with me about my concerning behaviors. She told me that I needed to learn to be flexible because life is not set in stone. We cannot expect everything to happen exactly as it did yesterday. My mom wanted to ensure I understood that patience was required to be flexible, and it was something I was going to have to work on.

While I continued to struggle with patience and flexibility as a teen, I have now cultivated these skills as an adult. Although my mom never saw all her wise words and hard work come to fruition in my life, I am eternally grateful for her help. I am now able to be patient, flexible, and roll with the punches. While some things can still bother me, such as being stuck in traffic or waiting in a lengthy line, most things don’t anymore. I can fill my time with other things while I wait, and I can talk with the Lord in prayer when I’m struggling. 

In truth, we can easily snuff out impatience by talking with the Lord. He will give us guidance and strengthen our minds when we are at our wits' end. Moreover, it also helps to fill our time with other things. For example, if we are waiting for a doctor’s appointment, we can bring a book or an assignment we need to work on. 

Think about a book you want to read, a hobby you want to pick up, or a friend you’ve meant to call. Most things take time, but if we fill our time with fun and productive activities, patience will not feel as draining anymore. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The Bible tells us, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly” (Proverbs 14:29). This shows the importance of being patient. Cultivating patience will take time; however, God will help us. As we lean more into Him, apply His teachings in our lives, and rely on Him for strength, we will develop patience each day. 

Sometimes we might struggle, but this is normal. None of us will master patience overnight, and we will fall short at times. As long as we are trying our best, we are doing right. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, which tells us it will take time to perfect (Galatians 5:22-23). 

If we are quick-tempered, we are displaying folly. Think about when you saw someone lose their temper. Were they red in the face? What was the tone of their voice? Did they look Christ-like? Addressing these questions will help us avoid future mistakes in our own lives. 

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). As believers, we need to continue to walk the way of patience and refrain from anger (Psalm 37:8). Those who seek patience will cultivate life, and those who seek anger will find folly. Carefully pray over the matter, talk with Him, and allow Him to direct your path.

Why do you think so many of us struggle with patience? By understanding the difference between patience and folly, how will it impact your future actions and behaviors? 

Further Reading:

Psalm 37:7-11

Romans 12:12

Proverbs 15:18

Proverbs 14:29 teaches that patience reflects wisdom and understanding, while quick-tempered reactions often lead to regret and foolishness. In this devotional, Vivian Bricker shares her personal struggle with impatience, anxiety, and the desire for control, revealing how God helped her gradually cultivate patience through growth, flexibility, prayer, and dependence on Him.
This devotional reminds believers that patience is not developed overnight but is part of spiritual maturity and the fruit of the Spirit. Through prayer, intentional thinking, and trusting God in frustrating moments, Christians can learn to respond with peace rather than anger. Whether facing delays, unmet expectations, or everyday inconveniences, God faithfully helps His children grow in patience as they rely on His strength and guidance.
Highlights
<ul data-start="851" data-end="1379">
<li data-section-id="1vfvmsu" data-start="851" data-end="919">Patience often develops through difficult and frustrating seasons.</li>
<li data-section-id="958h57" data-start="920" data-end="986">Anxiety and the desire for control can contribute to impatience.</li>
<li data-section-id="15fabwz" data-start="987" data-end="1062">God strengthens believers when they turn to Him during stressful moments.</li>
<li data-section-id="14fcsl0" data-start="1063" data-end="1158">Filling waiting seasons with productive or meaningful activities can help cultivate patience.</li>
<li data-section-id="z2sl39" data-start="1159" data-end="1224">Proverbs 14:29 connects patience with wisdom and understanding.</li>
<li data-section-id="v565ja" data-start="1225" data-end="1295">Quick-tempered reactions often damage our witness and relationships.</li>
<li data-section-id="4hvng" data-start="1296" data-end="1379">Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows over time through dependence on God.</li>
</ul>
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When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Cultivating Patience By: Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly&rdquo; (Proverbs 14:29).&nbsp;
Patience is something most of us have struggled with at various times in our lives. As a teen, I remember struggling immensely with patience as I was obsessed with routines. If something didn&rsquo;t go as planned, I would get stressed. I now know this was due to an underlying anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But back then, I had no idea.&nbsp;
My lack of patience and desire for order made life challenging for my entire family. My mom was worried about my behavior and spoke with me about my concerning behaviors. She told me that I needed to learn to be flexible because life is not set in stone. We cannot expect everything to happen exactly as it did yesterday. My mom wanted to ensure I understood that patience was required to be flexible, and it was something I was going to have to work on.
While I continued to struggle with patience and flexibility as a teen, I have now cultivated these skills as an adult. Although my mom never saw all her wise words and hard work come to fruition in my life, I am eternally grateful for her help. I am now able to be patient, flexible, and roll with the punches. While some things can still bother me, such as being stuck in traffic or waiting in a lengthy line, most things don&rsquo;t anymore. I can fill my time with other things while I wait, and I can talk with the Lord in prayer when I&rsquo;m struggling.&nbsp;
In truth, we can easily snuff out impatience by talking with the Lord. He will give us guidance and strengthen our minds when we are at our wits' end. Moreover, it also helps to fill our time with other things. For example, if we are waiting for a doctor&rsquo;s appointment, we can bring a book or an assignment we need to work on.&nbsp;
Think about a book you want to read, a hobby you want to pick up, or a friend you&rsquo;ve meant to call. Most things take time, but if we fill our time with fun and productive activities, patience will not feel as draining anymore.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
The Bible tells us, &ldquo;Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly&rdquo; (Proverbs 14:29). This shows the importance of being patient. Cultivating patience will take time; however, God will help us. As we lean more into Him, apply His teachings in our lives, and rely on Him for strength, we will develop patience each day.&nbsp;
Sometimes we might struggle, but this is normal. None of us will master patience overnight, and we will fall short at times. As long as we are trying our best, we are doing right. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, which tells us it will take time to perfect (Galatians 5:22-23).&nbsp;
If we are quick-tempered, we are displaying folly. Think about when you saw someone lose their temper. Were they red in the face? What was the tone of their voice? Did they look Christ-like? Addressing these questions will help us avoid future mistakes in our own lives.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up&rdquo; (Galatians 6:9). As believers, we need to continue to walk the way of patience and refrain from anger (Psalm 37:8). Those who seek patience will cultivate life, and those who seek anger will find folly. Carefully pray over the matter, talk with Him, and allow Him to direct your path.
Why do you think so many of us struggle with patience? By understanding the difference between patience and folly, how will it impact your future actions and behaviors?&nbsp;
Further Reading:
Psalm 37:7-11
Romans 12:12
Proverbs 15:18

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

Cultivating Patience

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/7dd3837c-d5a6-43f7-bfa7-b44b010121cd/transcript