Being in ministry for seven decades, Billy Graham had plenty of “waiting periods.” Just like you, he had to practice patience. Below are some quotes that show us how he handled waiting, and what he thinks of our instruction from the Lord to be patient.

“God allows difficulties, inconveniences, trials, and even suffering to come our way for a specific purpose: They help develop the right attitude for the growth of patience.”

“Patience is part of true Christlikeness, something we so often admire in others without demanding it of ourselves.”

“But this Holy Spirit, who lives in me since I received Christ as my Savior, is the one who gives me the power to love. He gives me the joy. He gives me the peace. He gives me the patience. He bears the fruit in my life.”

“Patience includes perseverance – the ability to bear up under weariness, strain, and persecution when doing the work of the Lord.”

“It is the regular exercise of patience and long-suffering in the small day-to-day frustrations and irritations which prepares us to endure when the great battles come.”

“Patience . . . speaks of a person’s steadfastness under provocation . . . enduring ill-treatment without anger or thought of retaliation or revenge.”

“Our lives are to be characterized by patience, for it is important in developing the mature, stable character which God wants to produce in His people.”

“Patience is the transcendent radiance of a loving and tender heart which, in its dealings with those around it, looks kindly and graciously upon them.”

“Patience in our lives springs from God’s power based upon our willingness to learn it.”

“Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent. At the end of construction—death—we have completed the process.”

See more quotes from Billy Graham here.