I never really thought about how important patience is. Joseph Smith once said "Patience is heavenly", which to me is usually just the opposite. But, Joseph understood that great things come to those who are diligently patient on the Lord. Diligently, because patience is not just waiting, but actively doing all you can for the Lord and then leaving it up to the Lord. Its an act of faith, hope, and love.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
John 14: 15
"But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
1 Corinthians 2:9
Indulgence is often the pitfall and downfall of many. Indulging and not exercising control of appetites leads to destruction and slavery to our souls. Smoking, overeating, laziness, despairing, pornography, drugs, overly negative, easily angered, shirking responsibilities, the list goes on and on and giving in to these wants and weaknesses erodes our independence from them, slowly losing our freedoms.
The Lord has a better way. He teaches us to avoid self serving dangerous indulgences so as to help us remain in control of our choices. How often do we find people wanting to quit these indulgences later on in life and finding themselves engulfed in some very strong chains that are unwilling to be loosed?
The Lord's better way is through keeping His commandments, being patient on the Lord. In doing this we show our trust for Him. Dependence on Him means being freed from and freedom from sin. Only He can loosen these chains and remove the stains of sin from our souls. This is possible because He suffered for our sins, so that the price we would pay, would be upon Him. He overcame death both spiritually and physically in order to allow us to return to having the presence of God in our lives. We cannot know what happiness and joy that is till we start stepping in that direction.
I can testify that I have felt the incredible presence of God in my life by keeping the commandments and there is so much joy/peace/love/strength/hope/happiness/wisdom/insight (the list goes on and on) that comes from it. He is able to deliver us in ways we cannot fully understand at the present. As that scripture in Corinthians illustrates; when we keep the commandments things don't just work out, but are far more amazing than we can even conceive.
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love."
John 15: 10
