Faithfulness

Patience is something God is continually working out in me. I am, by nature, a very impatient person. He has been cultivating patience in me pretty much since I got saved when I was 23. I’m not sure if everyone else is like this (let me know if you are) but I just HATE to wait. I am better than I used to be but it’s still a struggle for me.

Anger is my first response to waiting for the things I want RIGHT NOW. If a car is driving too slow in front of me or I have to wait too long in a Walmart line, I have a hard time keeping my cool. When my kids are taking too long to do something, I have a hard time not just jumping in a doing it myself because it’s faster. Like, coming on guys, let’s move on with our lives so we can do something fun. 

Sometimes being impatient is due to poor planning, like not leaving the house on time. Sometimes it’s a result of having too high of expectations, like wanting too much to happen in an unrealistic period of time. Sometimes our focus is off and we are supposed to be enjoying the journey instead of focusing on the destination. Sometimes impatience comes from wanting something to happen that just isn’t supposed to happen.

These are things we can make adjustments for.

 

When we are impatient it can lead to disappointment, disillusionment, prolonged anger, maybe even bitterness, doubt, fear, depression and distrust in God.

In my life there is a certain issue that never seems to dissolve itself and it comes in and out through different people and I want it fixed, right now. It’s heartbreaking and its resolution depends on the decisions of other people.

People that I love and would very much like to be in Heaven with me. 

Recently, I have been discouraged, disillusioned and depressed. 

For years and years I have prayed and yet nothing, and just when I think that, yes this will be the moment that my prayers are answered…nope. 

My faith and trust have waned during these years. I have doubted that God cared, that he heard my prayers, or that He even answers prayers at all. 

Then He reminded me that: 

“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 

2 Peter 3:8

I make the Lord’s timing an issue of trust when it is really of issue of patience. 

If I know that the Lord is trustworthy and His word is true, I can believe He cares and He is working whether I see anything happening or not. So then the issue becomes my waiting on the Lord. Because my entire life is merely a second in perspective of eternity.

It may take someone’s entire life to make peace with their creator. Who am I to rush that just because it hurts?

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish.”

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is patient with us. He is faithful to complete the work He started on the day we were conceived (Phil. 1:6). In all of us. Including those with whom we are frustrated. 

So,

We “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

  Psalm 27:14

and in the meantime: 

“I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Psalm 27:15

Friend,

Be strong and take heart. Trust in the Lord and move on with your assignments. He is faithful. Find peace in that truth. He still sees you. He still hears you, and it breaks His heart too. Find comfort that you and your Father are waiting for the same thing, together. 

You are loved!