Waiting

I still have a lot to learn when it comes to patience and waiting. But I've had a few lessons already. Once I was in a line at a grocery store at the help counter. The manager working there was moving extremely slowly. The lady in front of me turned around and spoke to me about how frustrated she was with how long it was taking, I smiled and didn't say much, the she said "wow, you are so patient!". I smiled again and said "On the outside anyway".

Truly, I was smiling, not fidgeting around, not griping or complaining. But on the inside I was thinking "why does he have to take so long? I've been in line for 10 minutes already! I'm going to just leave if its not my turn in the next 5 minutes".

I've had lessons with my pregnancies too, 3 of my 4 babies were more than a week past their due dates.

Waiting and being patient is so important to my walk through life with Christ. Sometimes He says wait when I want to figure things out and act now. I see a problem, or as much of it as I can see, and I want to act now. But I can't see the whole situation from where I stand, I can only see things from my perspective. He sees things from His perspective, and from there He can truly see it all.

He knows when it will be time for me to act and I need to wait for Him to give me my cue. If I act before then, things my turn out disastrous.

I also need to remember that I may not have to act at all! It may be that He will do all the work and all I have to do is be patient and pray while He takes care of things.

Is. 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint".

Ps. 37:9 "For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth."

Rom. 5:3 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience"

1 Tim. 6:11 "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness"

Gal. 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

As much as I don't like hard times, uncomfortable times, painful times, Romans 5:3 is so true, I grow the most under pressure. These difficult times work out patience in me. Something that is vital to the development of my character.

And according to 1 Tim. 6:11 Patience is something we must follow after, seek out.

Lord, teach me to be patient. I have heard that is the most dangerous prayer, but I'm asking anyway. Help me learn to wait on You, and take cues from You alone. Help me know when to act and when to quietly wait on You. In Jesus precious name. Amen.