To arm oneself with patience means to prepare oneself mentally and emotionally to tolerate a challenging situation with grace and calmness. Synonyms for this phrase could include "steel oneself," "brace oneself," "fortify oneself," "prepare oneself," "equip oneself," or "ready oneself." Other common sayings that convey a similar meaning might be "take a deep breath," "keep calm and carry on," or "grin and bear it." Whatever the words used, the idea is to approach a difficult or frustrating situation with a positive mindset and a willingness to persevere in order to achieve a desired outcome.