We live in a here and now society, making it very difficult for us as a society to be patient. We want and expect everything to be done right now, especially when we are waiting to be served. We have become very selfish and hypocritical as a society. When we are on the receiving side of the table we often have high expectations of how we want to be served, how we want to be treated or when we want things done. These expectations often don't transfer over when we are on the other side of the table serving others.
For years the golden rule was treat others as you want to be treated, but as we get more selfish as a society and less patient we tend to change the rule to “I want it now and if I don't get my way I will unleash holy hell regardless of anyone else's feelings, needs or ideas”. In those moments we let our pride and arrogance take over. We tend to want something and expect it to happen right now or very soon. When in reality life just doesn't work that way. There is a possibility that we may get what we want, but it probably won't be right now or even tomorrow. It could take, days, months or even years before it comes to fruition.
This is how most people think prayer is supposed to go. We expect to pray once and our prayer to be answered, but that's not the way our God works. If all prayers were answered within 24 hours we would not have the chance or more importantly the need to press in and grow deeper in a walk with God. Sometimes it is a matter of trust, God loves you, we are all his children but if he were to grant our every want and wish immediately we would only go to him when we need something or want something, then move right along with our regularly scheduled life once we receive it. When we go to God with prayers, God wants to give us a chance to know him better and devote our lives fully to him. Sometimes that takes time to do.
God always has an answer for our prayers but it may not be the one we want or the one we think it should be. However that isn't always a bad thing, because we as humans are living in a world controlled by the devil and what we see, do or think isn't always Godly. God knows what’s best for us and has a plan for our lives. If God makes us wait we should take the opportunity to seek him fully. He may just be preparing our hearts for what’s to come. Even though we may think that we can’t do it or we shouldn't have to go through trials, tribulations or turmoil just remember that it is for a greater good in our lives and God has a plan for us. It is easy to get discouraged but just remember that God will never put more on our shoulders than we can handle. Whenever we feel down and out or discouraged, that is the devil winning in our lives and making his plan work. We need to dig deeper, have that fourth quarter mentality and finish strong! Pray, seek God, **rely on God, worship, praise his name harder than we ever have before! Make a firm and loud declaration that the devil will not win this fight as long as the Lord is on our side. Whatever we declare through Jesus name, the devil has no choice but to flee.
Patience is a virtue, we need to stop expecting things to happen instantly and start seeking God with all decisions. Even though we may think the decision is ours, as long as we trust God with all our hearts and with our lives that decision is not ours to make and in fact it has already been made. God is just testing us to see if we will give into the devil and our own urges or seek and trust God.
** Dictionary definition of rely- depend on with full trust or confidence.
“We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.”
2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT
“You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
James 5:8 NLT
“We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.”
James 5:11 NLT
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV
“We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)”
Romans 8:24-25 NLT
“When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying,
“I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”
Hebrews 6:13-15 NIV
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 NIV
Food for thought:
Patience is a choice, you have to choose to be patient in certain situations. Take some time to analyze your life, highlight areas where you can exercise patience.
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