Let me let you in on a little secret-- I wrestle with impatience.
What’s that saying—“patience is a virtue?” (The ability to wait for something without complaint or becoming frustrated, upset or downright mad.)
Wish I had that virtue but, it seems to escape me on most days.
Do you know, that when I was a young child, I simply could not wait to open my gifts for Christmas? The moment a present was wrapped and placed under the tree, I would find just the right opportunity of secrecy, and with skills of an art thief, I would delicately unwrap it to preview the contents. I was so good at it that I could uncover a gift, wrap it back with the same wrapping and tape and no one could tell it had been tampered with!
Now, the surprise was ruined but, my impatience was fed and satisfied.
It only took a few times to finally realize that I was stealing my own joy and that my impatience wasn't a good thing after all. I mean who wants to open gifts that you already know the contents and pretend to be surprised?
I’ve learned to become better at waiting but, I certainly haven’t mastered this admirable skill.; as there just seems to be a plethora of waiting challenges.
Waiting in lines, waiting in traffic, waiting for the weekend, waiting for payday, waiting for good news, waiting for a package to arrive, waiting for things to change and get better, the list goes on and on.
Waiting, waiting, waiting!
Throughout the Bible, patience is highlighted as virtuous, and without it, we risk missing blessings.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” ~Lamentations 3:25
“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.” ~James 5:7
Do you know, that there is a benefit to waiting?
While we are waiting, God is working!
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:24-25 & 28
Patience will start growing naturally in our lives when we accept that God is in control, He can be trusted, and His timing is always perfect.
When we stop and consider that He may just be working to select and wrap a perfect gift that requires investment, energies and proper timing; then waiting doesn’t seem so hard. It is worth the wait!
Will you agree to wait patiently and not miss out or ruin God’s surprises for your life?
Father, thank you for your goodness and the work that you do within our lives. You are a good good Father and provide everything we need in just the right time. Help us, through the Holy Spirit, to develop our patience and trust that your timing is perfect and your gifts will always bring joy.
“Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.” ~Proverbs 16:32