Active Patience

Spiritual Skill: Patience (wk. 12/13)

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

It takes time. And friends.

Three injuries in three months. Grade two sprain of the right knee 12 weeks ago. Hyperextension of the left knee nine weeks ago. Strained right bicep a month ago. And rehab is sllloowwwww! If there’s one thing that fitness teaches us, it’s patience. Whether we’re working toward a strength goal, recovering from an injury, or simply trying to develop healthier habits, real change takes time.

The best “prescription” I got from my doctor: get back to your CrossFit community as quickly as possible. Let them encourage and support you in your rehab. Here’s what my doctor knew: patience is often tested in our personal journeys, but it’s in community that it’s truly revealed and nurtured.

Think about it—when we work out alone, we set our own pace. There’s no one else to encourage us, no one to challenge our expectations, and no one to hold us accountable when frustration creeps in. But when we engage in a fitness community, patience becomes part of the process. We learn to wait for a friend who’s struggling with a lift, to encourage someone who’s new to the journey, and to lean on others as we recover from our own injuries, even when it feels slow.

The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 resonate deeply here:

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters . . . encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”

This passage reminds us that patience isn’t just about waiting—it’s about how we treat others while we wait. In a fitness setting, this could mean offering encouragement to someone feeling discouraged, helping a struggling teammate with their form, or simply showing up consistently, even when results are slow.

A fitness community like a CrossFit gym challenges us to be patient not just with others, but also with ourselves. There will be days when progress feels stagnant, when injuries set us back, or when motivation runs low. But seeing others push through their own struggles reminds us that perseverance is worth it. And sometimes, the simple act of showing grace to someone else—of celebrating their victories, listening to their frustrations, or walking beside them in their injury recover—helps build the same patience we need for our own growth.

Patience in community isn’t passive. It’s active and intentional. But it’s in these moments—when we lift each other up, when we choose grace over frustration, when we trust the process—that we become stronger for ourselves and others.

Questions for Reflection:

When has being part of a fitness or health community challenged you to be more patient?

How can you practice patience with both yourself and others in your fitness journey?

What’s one way you can encourage someone who may be struggling with their own progress?