Look at all the samples in the Bible of patience: Job, Moses, and David!
Job lost everything!: His family, fortune, and finally his health--everything! But he just kept on believing and obeying, saying, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!" (Job 13:15) He hung on and would not give up! "The patience of Job!" (Jam.5:11)--An inspiring example for generations to come!
When Moses was in a hurry to deliver the children of Israel, he killed an Egyptian and had to flee alone for his own life. But after 40 years of patiently, humbly tending sheep in the wilderness, with time to listen to the Voice of God instead of his own impulses, he was finally ready for the slow, laborious, patient work of the Exodus--slow, but sure!
David spent 17 years working under King Saul, and the Lord really taught him from looking at Saul! Saul got all upset and tried to do things in his own strength, and he found he wasn't strong enough! David learned you have to let God do everything!--And wait for Him!
Learning patience is one of God's most frequent lessons to us all. So "let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing!" (Jam.1:4)