“Patience is indeed a virtue, but it is a rarity in our times In our age of instant gratification, combined with the extra pressures and expectations that come with being able to get so much done in a short time, the art of being patient is being lost and even considered as negative.” (Fr. Joshua Makoul)
“When we bowed down before Christ as King and God at our baptism, we received the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit then began intensive work within us, a work which He continues in our hearts, souls, and bodies. As we embrace His efforts, His gracious work will gradually achieve a total transformation of our being. At present we know within ourselves only the first tiny increments of this future transformation. Every achievement of the Spirit is His firstfruits, bits of His work. These achievements substantiate our hope; we are “eagerly waiting for . . . adoption” and the “redemption of our body” wrought by “perseverance” (Romans 8:23-25).” (Dynamis 7/8/2021)
“In our affairs, beloved, we have great need of perseverance. And perseverance is the fruit when [Christ’s] teachings become deeply rooted in us. No assault of the wind will be strong enough to uproot the oak that has sent its roots deep down into the depths of the earth and has become firmly encompassed by them. Similarly, no one will be strong enough to overpower the soul that is nailed down by the fear of God, because to be nailed down is to be more securely fastened than to be rooted.” (St. John Chrysostom)
“We persevere by getting rid of sin, the weight which keeps us from heeding the truth; setting as our destination the heavenly city, running the race of faith; and keeping our attention focused on Jesus Christ our Lord and King (Hebrews 12:2). This race is not a sprint but a marathon of endurance...” (Orthodox Study Bible, Hebrews 12:1)
“Today the ancestors of Christ are our example. Beginning with Abraham, they firmly believed in the promise of divine blessings to come. They persisted in their hope though it was not fulfilled for centuries. As the predecessors of Christ patiently waited for Him to appear on earthy, so may we wait with the same fortitude for Christ to reappear. Then He will manifest His glory and reveal the glorious eternal life that is now hidden with Him in heaven.” (Fr. Basil)