Patience

God's patience (or longsuffering) is his willingness to bear with sin and delay judgment, giving time and room for repentance. He is "slow to anger" (Exod 34:6), and Peter explains the seeming delay of final judgment as mercy in disguise: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Pet 3:9).

If you have ever wondered why God doesn't simply end all evil today, here is part of the answer: the same delay that lets evil continue is the delay that leaves the door of mercy open — including for you. God's patience is not indifference; it is grace measured out in time. "Do you presume on the riches of his kindness... not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Rom 2:4).