John Bunyan’s famous allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress, is a literary classic that ranks second only to the Bible for many Christians.

The book has never been out of print since 1678 and the story conveys many metaphors that are applicable to the Christian life. The story’s protagonist, Christian, is on a journey to the Celestial City, but before he arrives at his destination, he encounters various spiritual lessons along the way.

In one scene, Christian visits the Interpreter’s home and is shown two children named Passion and Patience. As their names imply, one child is restless while the other is restful and calm. The children represent two categories of people. Passion represents the children of this world who want their desires met immediately whereas Patience represents God’s children who are willing to wait and be longsuffering for a better reward than what the world offers.

God has something in store for you that far outweighs anything you’ve ever experienced in this world. The human language is inadequate and the mind is too limited to grasp the treasures that await those who wait patiently for God in spite of the earthly passions that beckon them to give in.

Patience is God’s gift to us as we wait for Him in faith, trusting that His future reward is better than what we can see now.