If there was an award for the least patient person ever to walk the planet, I might just win it! And somehow (by God's GREAT grace), I married one of the most patient people on earth. Good thing too- otherwise we'd be the most anal-retentive married couple ever, driving everyone nuts with our constant insisting that everything be done right.this.minute.
I know that there is nothing wrong with a go-getter attitude, but when life starts becoming anxiety-ridden because I am determined to make things happen in my own timing, there's a problem.
The fact is, we don't get things in our own timing, nor do things typically happen the way in which we thought they would. We cannot corrupt God's timing- which is awesome...until we want what we want, when we want it. Then it doesn't feel so awesome anymore.
God says to be patient and wait for him. We are to come to God with all of our requests. And whether we are waiting on a job, healing, a spouse, or something else entirely, we must have patience, trusting that the Lord's timing and ways are always best. Our feelings of frustration or impatience don't change His goodness.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11)
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Eccl. 7:8)
God commands us to be patient. Why? Because a lack of patience can often mean a lack of trust in God to act. And if nothing else, a lack of patience most certainly is a lack of trust that God's timing is better than our own.
(Oooooppppsss... I do believe there is some repenting to do. How about for you?)
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Father God in Heaven, I ask your forgiveness for my impatience and that I am not trusting in you to act. Forgive me for not trusting that your way is always best, and so is your timing, God in heaven. In all things that is true; forgive me for not believing, embracing and accepting that, God in heaven. Reform me so that I do trust you like I should. And thank you for your love, mercy, and forgiveness, God in Heaven, in Jesus name, amen.
Are you having a hard time being patient right now? Comment below. I'd love to hear from you.
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Um, did you write this post specifically for me!? Haha, it's wonderful to read and hear God through a community of #PeonyProject women. I'm having a really hard time with God's timing regarding a new job! I deeply desire in my heart for this door to be opened but if it's not, I know it must be His will, and not mine. Thank you for sharing! xo
ReplyDeleteHaha. I understand completely. I am feeling the same way. My husband and I will be moving in about two months and as of right now, we have no money, no job prospects for our new city, and no house. lol. It's interesting to learn to just wait and trust.
DeleteI swear you wrote this for me. I am having such a hard time right now, it seems like no matter how much money we save, our bills are outrageous. It seems like no matter how much I am trying to make things right before this big move in 6 weeks, things are not working. I feel like giving up so much but I can't, because you cannot do that during a military move. We cannot find a home at our new base, my husband isn't helping me, because they keep making him work long hours and he's so exhausted. I cannot find anyone to replace me at my job (which they make me do)... so yes, I am overwhelm but I am definitely glad I read this post. <3
ReplyDeleteTiara, I am so sorry you are going through all of that. That is so incredibly tough. Keep trusting in the Lord and asking Him for help and guidance.
DeleteSo so encouraging! It is so hard to be patient- these verses are great reminders! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you! lad it helped!
DeleteI love this post! I thought I was the only one who struggled with patience. As much as I want God's timing, it's so hard because like you said, I want everything done now. Sometimes, I've found to equate a lack of patience with control issues! But thank God for His grace and for knowing us so intimately that he gives what is best for us!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteImpatience...check! I definitely have a "I need to know now!" kind of thinking but I trying so hard to be patient and wait on Him. I know that His ways are always better I just need to slow down and let God do His thing. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Thanks! Glad it helped!
DeleteThank you for joining us for Two Shoes Tuesday this week! When we see God's timing played out to perfection we realize what a beautiful thing it is to be loved that much! I am not patient either, but I have learned through the years that whenever I force something to happen, it never works out well in the end, and often it ends up being not right for me at all. Father truly does know best, and we have to learn to trust that. Your post was a great reminder!
ReplyDeleteSo true. And you are right. God does know best and we do have to learn to trust that. Exactly why I wrote this: to inspire myself and others to learn to trust that He knows best in all things, and to wait on Him, follow Him, seek Him and obey Him :)
DeleteI'm so glad He knows the Beginning from the End. The Living God, the Creator of Time. Time is subject to the Creator not the other way around. That knowledge alone bears patience. Blessings. Coming to you from Juana Mikel's connection. Blessings in Him, Chris~
ReplyDeleteAmen! So true! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYes, God's timing does certainly seem slow sometimes. But, in spite of what we think, He is always right on time. His timing is perfect, and the verses you shared are perfectly fitting as well - thank you for this word of encouragement!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was an encouragement :)
DeleteIt actually depends. Sometimes I am super impatient, but as cheesy at it sounds, life has taught me to be more patient. It was a hard lesson and sometimes I'm still falling back into my old behavior, but all in all I'm doing pretty well. However, I have absolutely no patience with people who bully, back stab or push other people around.
ReplyDeleteI think that is when you have to remember the state of their souls. Don't let them continue their actions, but when dealing with them, remember that they do not know the Lord and therefore have no hope. If I remember that when dealing with hard-to-love people, it helps bring some compassion to my bones.
DeleteMy word from the Lord for this year is patience. I thought it was a strange word for me to focus on since I am a very patient person. Or so I thought until this year. Funny how He always knows what we need before we do!
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteGracious I certainly have found myself in this boat! I have waited (im)patiently for something for many years and just in the last few months I've been shown visible steps by the Lord instead of the waiting/growing place that I have been in. Trusting and waiting faithfully is what it's all about! Stopping by from Women With Intention
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely so true! I am happy for you, too!
DeleteKristin, there is such wisdom in this post. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel :)
DeleteI have infinite patience with others, especially children, but with myself, I need to practice. This is a lovely write.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true! Sometimes that is where it's hardest to have patience!
Deletelove this post...trusting is such a moment-by-moment experience, it is my 2015 OneWord365...love the graphic with the Jeremiah scripture also!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth!
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