How Long Must I Believe?

“I am so tired of waiting!”

“If God is so good, and His promises never fail, why is it taking so long? How much longer must I believe?”

Those are honest questions, don’t you think? I mean, really. I understand Rome wasn’t built in a day, but c’mon.

Most people despise having to wait. They pray, “Lord, I want patience, and I want it now!”And honestly, it’s not easy waiting, no matter how patient or spiritual a person is.

But how long is a reasonable time to be required to wait? Whether it’s waiting for God to answer my prayer, or for a potential employer to call saying I’ve been hired, even one or two days can be a drag.

Recently, like today, I’ve found myself on edge; impatient. Frustrated for several reasons, all legitimate of course.

Since I’m sure you’re interested, I’ll give you a few examples.

I’ve been working through a course to help improve my writing, and increase my readership. I’ve been at it a whole week and I haven’t noticed any difference whatsoever. Nothing positive, that is.

How long must I wait? How long do I have to keep putting the ink to the paper? How much longer must I believe?

What would you do, if you were me?

I’ve been seriously looking and applying for a job, one that will work with my life’s focus and still bring in some good, supplemental income. Three days ago I had a very good interview, and felt I would be called back for a second one. But no word. No call. No job.

And it’s been three whole days!

How long must I wait?

There are other things I’m waiting on, as well. And like so many, I often find myself wishing I could find a way to make God and others work at my pace, not theirs. But even though I’m antsy, I can still hear the Lord speak the words of Habakkuk quietly to my heart.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength…” (Habakkuk 3:17 – 3:19 ESV)

How long must I believe? Well, I suppose until I see the answer. If I’m only willing to wait a minute or two, or even a week or two, maybe what I’m calling faith isn’t faith at all.

But while I’m waiting, I think I’ll keep applying for work, and continue adding words to the paper.

Because, after all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. And practice never hurt anyone. Besides, when patience is allowed to run its full course, I will be thoroughly equipped for every good work (James 1:4).

By the way, what do you do while you wait? How do you stay patient? I’d love to hear how you keep going when you feel like quitting.