In a world filled with impatient people it is very very easy to just fall into that same groove. We can find ourselves becoming impatient at the drive through line, even though we don't have anywhere else to be. We can find ourselves keeping up with the traffic so much that we are going 10 or 15 miles an hour over the speed limit just because we are keeping up with all the other people who are in a rush to get where they are going. And we can find ourselves getting upset over things that really aren't worth getting upset about, things that test our patience.....even though we really don't have a logical reason to be impatient in that moment. I mean, have you ever pulled up to a 4-way stop sign and found yourself getting upset because people weren't going fast enough. Or found that every line in the grocery store was full and the idea of having to wait was making you angry, even though you had plenty of time to wait? What are these feelings about and why do we allow our patience to be tested so much? Where is our peace?
This topic is personal to me because this is an area that God has really worked on me...and continues to work on me. It is a place I have to come back to every so often and remind myself that this is not worth getting worked up over and I need to be patient in this moment. And how do I know that God wants me to be more patient?....because He keeps putting me in situations where I have rely on and wait on Him. Situations that are completely out of my control and I have 2 choices....become impatient and mess it up by doing it my way, or patiently wait and let Him grow me and teach me while I wait. Over the past 2 years I have learned that when we do wait and trust His timing, He really can teach us so much....so much that we miss out on when we rush Him or get tired of waiting and sidestep Him and do it our way. And let's not kid ourselves...even though He is God, we often push through and force situations, or just do them our own way, when we don't feel like He is moving in our time. But please let's not forget, He is the keeper of time, and doing things in His time is always going to be the best way. And in the end, when you look back over a situation and can see every place His hand was, you will stand in awe of how much He was at work while you waited. And then not only has He moved in your life, He has also built a testimony for you to tell others. Because remember, it'a not always about us, but it can be about what He can do through us when we allow Him to.
God has showed man that He's got them all throughout time. The bible is full of stories of what happened when man waited on God, and what happened when they didn't. But it is also full of wise words when it comes this topic...and instructions on remaining patient. Romans 8:25 says "But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance" and Romans 12:12 says "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer". So it is not about being patient only when we see God moving, it is about trusting Him and continuing to rejoice and pray while we wait on God to move. It's not a conditional patience either, we don't just remain patient because things look good or things look like they are lining up...it is about remaining faithful and knowing that you serve a good good God. The enemy wants you to look around and say "this isn't looking good and my patience are wearing thin"....but Galatians 6:9 tells us "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart". So you honor Him, you tell of His goodness, you allow others to see you giving Him all the glory while you wait, and He will honor that. How do I know this...because I am in a season of reaping as I write this blog today! And God has carried me though a tough couple of years to get here, but never once did I lose heart that He had something good for me. I honored Him with my trust, my patience, my unconditional love.....and by continuing to tell others of His goodness. He is the only thing that has brought me this far. And when the days looked dark I reminded the enemy of God's faithfulness and rebuked every bit of doubt that he tried to bring into my thoughts....Knowing that my life would be a living testimony for Him IF I did things His way......just as each and every one of your lives can be too!
So the next time you feel that feeling of impatience rising up in you, submit it to God and ask Him for His peace....a peace that surpasses all understanding...because it's God's peace in us. (Philippians 4:7)
God, thank You for Your peace. When it comes over us it can calm every storm. Help us overcome the impatience that we have learned from the world we live in and to honor you with our trust as we seek Your peace. And let others see your peace and your patience in us and want what we have...giving us a chance to tell them of Your amazing goodness. In Jesus name, Amen
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