Is suffering for a long time the same as long suffering? Does waiting for an answer to prayer endanger the lives of those near and dear to you? While you’re waiting for God to answer, do you cause others to “suffer” right along with you?
If patience is really a virtue, how come we have such a hard time waiting? Where’s the power to wait if patience is all it’s cracked up to be?
Can patience really hold us steady? What anchors our patience to the ground, keeping it from blowing all over the countryside?
Have we put such an emphasis on believing, only to neglect the exercise called patience?
Patience has quite a reputation. It’s something nobody wants to ask for, but everyone needs. Some despise the very idea of patience, while trying the patience of everyone around them.
There are those who won’t wait, can’t wait, for anything or anyone.
They’re also the slowest, most aggravating people in the world.
They demand everyone give them the benefit of the doubt, but doubt the word of anyone who doesn’t agree with them. They’ll ask a question, but before an answer can be given, they’re out the door running like a wild banshee.
Hunting for someone to answer their question.
Are you a patient person? Are you disciplined enough to pace yourself, drive the speed limit, and get enough rest or do you always race your engine, squeal your tires, and run into things while trying to keep your life on the road? Are you dangerous to be around because you can only trust God for a short period?
Have you reached out in faith to grab hold of a promise from God more times than you care to remember? Have you held on long enough or did your hand cramp, dropping both the promise and your patience?
Have people doubted your ability to believe God? Have YOU wondered about it?
Maybe your patience should be tested a little more often. After all, testing builds endurance.
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NLT)
“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36 NLT)
Faith wasn’t designed to go the distance by itself. Faith is only NOW, not tomorrow and the next day. Faith requires assistance from its pal named Patience. When those two work together, the promise becomes the possession.
“Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.” (Hebrews 6:15 NLT)
Jan Grace 