When speaking to the church in Philadelphia Jesus called the Word of God "the word of my patience" (Revelation 3:10). Patience and waiting go hand in hand. Patience and waiting are almost synonymous, but not quite, for it is possible to wait impatiently by throwing fits, fretting, or hyperventilating while waiting! Some become impatient to the point of disobedience while fooling themselves that they are still waiting, e.g. King Saul (1 Samuel 13:11). His impatience brought him into disobedience which in turn caused God to reject him from being king. What a terrible price to pay for impatience.
In Luke 12:42-48 Jesus tells a parable of a steward who became impatient for his master to return. Jesus said in verse 45, 46 (NLT): "But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful." Again, what a terrible price to pay for impatience.
Men, and fathers, I think that many do not really believe in the imminence of Christ's return. We had better take heed to the warnings.
We must teach our children to be patient in all things so they will be counted worthy to reign with Christ in His kingdom, both now, while we wait for His return, and when He does return. We must teach them what it means to keep "the word of his patience."
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell