Patience – Some say don’t pray for patience. Hmmm, when I hear those words, I must admit I agree. But then something inside me beckons to call out to the Lord for patience because it’s something I should ask of the Lord, and I should pray for patience.
Don’t pray for patience?
Most folks reason it’s because God will give us plenty of opportunities to test our patience.
But what if we looked at patience from a different angle? What if we viewed it from the angle of needing to exercise some patience while we wait for something better to happen?
Do you know what I mean?
Let me give you an example.
In 2017, I released my third book, Bridge to Grace. My excitement led me to research several avenues I could freely access that would allow me to expose my new book to the world.
The problem? I did not have enough hours in the day to set each one of those avenues in motion. This is where my patience, and I might add, anxiety, came into play.
I felt an overwhelming sense of urgency to get my new book out into the world. There was a small window of opportunity, a deadline, an urgency to make it happen. If you are an Indie writer, you understand the angst. To me, I needed to hurry up and get it done before the golden window closed.
The other side of this scenario was to make a list of to-do’s and check off each one as I patiently completed them with no set time frame for execution. There would be room for relaxation as I sat back and watched my book continue the slow upward climb.
But would that be a realistic approach? Hence the dilemma I was having.
I am reminded of the scripture in James 1:4, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” KJV
What should I do in those situations where I struggle to be patient because I want things to happen now?
I should move forward wisely AND patiently, seeking to follow the will of the Lord and not my own will.
It’s hard to be patient in a fast-moving world where instant gratification is the hallmark of everyday life. But scripture tells us being patient has its benefits that are far better than anything instant gratification offers.
Should we pray for patience? Yes. Will the Lord allow us to experience events in life requiring patience each day? I believe so. Can we reap a harvest of goodness from being patient? Yes. God’s word says so.
The next time you are tempted to take the easy way out or rush through something because you feel an urgency to get it done, stop and ask yourself if it would be more beneficial for you to wait on the Lord as you work through whatever it is you are facing.
Would forcing the situation bring about the best resolution?
Would that resolution make you more like Jesus or more like the world?
Pray for patience because He loves you, and patiently wait on him to do great work in and through you.
Blessings!
The Teaching Lady
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