Waiting for Patience

Are you struggling with being patient? Do you ask God for patience but ask for it now? The catch is that the only way to obtain patience is by being patient. So that means just waiting, and waiting, and sometimes some more waiting. Unfortunately, patience is something we have to learn and can't just earn it in an instance. Obtaining the virtue of patience feels very painful and very difficult as it usually requires enduring some sort of trial.

Whether we are waiting on our womb to open with pregnancy, a prodigal spouse to return, difficult work situations, loved ones to come to Christ, a marriage healed, improved finances, clean bill of health, or healing from emotional suffering. For whatever we're waiting of significant importance usually it is a hardship to us. (I say of significant importance because I'm not referring to waiting in line or following a slow driver.) The Lord uses hardships because it is in those times that we must really die to ourself and see the importance of waiting on the Lord.

He is never a minute early nor a second late. His timing is impeciable! Unfortunately, it is usually only in hindsight that we can see this so clearly.

I NEVER would have thought myself to be patient. However, after enduring the trial that still surrounds me after ten months, I can say that I have indeed gained some patience. I guess when we suffer such a strike to our life and such a deep tragedy of life, we realize what is important and it really helps to give strength to waiting. We realize to definitely not complain over the petty things in life like: being cut off in traffic; following a driver going 30 in a 55 zone; waiting for someone to find their check book, pen, and ID in the grocery line; whatever causes us to wait. And in the large things like illness, divorce, death, finances, we then just begin to TRUST. Yes, patience so closely ties in with trust. Do we really trust the Father to provide His best and in His timing. If we trust Him for the best in our lives, then shouldn't we also trust that He will provide it in the right timing? And if we truly want His best, are we not willing to wait for His best? That sure motivates me.

How many times have we closed a door because we were too impatient and not willing to wait for the results of God's work? How many times did we open a window that God never intended to be open? We can get ourselves in some very big messes when we try to do things in our own timing and our own way. That is why it is ever so important to Fully Rely On God (FROG). I guess a good "rule" to go by is if you don't know what to do or if you should do anything or not, then just WAIT. Wait until you have that overriding peace that God is saying or showing you "it is NOW time." God always goes before us to prepare the way. However, if we leap ahead of Him, He will not have had the chance to prepare the way. So be careful of leaping!!!

One of my favorite songs that has helped a lot during the trial of my life is "The Waiting" by 4Him. Here are some of the lyrics:

When you're waiting
Through the hard times
Hold on, don't let go
Waiting through the hard times
Will only make you strong, hold on
I cry, you cry,
Life takes us by surprise
Before you know,
It'll catch you unaware
I need, you need,
Much more than sympathy
But through it all it's good to know
We need to know that Jesus is there
And you will never ever have to cry alone

I know there are many verses on waiting. I searched biblegateway.com for "wait" and it resulted in 135 hits. Here are three that I keep close to my heart.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7

The Lord is good to those who wait on Him; to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25

So what is it that you are willing to give up to wait on the Father, His purpose, and His timing?

Be Blessed in Him,
Paula