Patience

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

Patience is a trait evident in a person of strong character, so this is certainly an area of my life that needs drastic improvement.  I still get frustrated on my 20 minute commute between home and the office when traffic backs up.  I sometimes expect too much out of my oldest son who is only four years old and am definitely impatient  when it comes to writing new business at work.

The above verse from Hebrews confirms that we cannot have endurance or perseverance without developing some patience first.  As a follower of Christ, our faith will be tested, time after time.  As we pass each test, we will develop more patience, which will result in greater strength when we are tested again.

It’s when we are patient that we eventually receive the fulfillment of all that God has promised us.  Thanks be to God!!!

Patience

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…patience.  Galatians 5:22

Many sleepless nights at home with sick children and living in Atlanta for a few years with an insane amount of traffic has taught me a little bit about the virtue of patience.

God’s word tells us that patience is actually a form of perseverance and endurance that allows us to respond to difficult circumstances with grace and self-control.

Patience is not a learned behavior as many would have you believe.  It’s actually the by-product of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of a believer.

God promises that when the Holy Spirit is in us, he will produce more patience in our lives.

Impossible

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible.”  Matthew 17:20

The past three weeks have been very challenging as I have been struggling with some personal trials as of late.  I keep coming back to Jesus’ words in Matthew.  “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move.  Nothing would be impossible.”

The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds, so it often used to refer to something small in size.  Our faith is not a matter of quantity, but more of quality.  What do we put our faith into?  Is it ourselves or others?  Or, is it in the One that can make a difference?

We do not have to have great faith in God before you can do what seems impossible; just faith in a great God!

True Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Jesus gave us all blessed assurance and promise about our prayers when He stated: 'Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

Jesus made this statement to assure each of us that the new covenant is true-the way to Kingdom is based on faith, which is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don't see.

Whatever you ask for, you must believe that you have received it.  Sometimes, don't be surprised if you don't see it, we could not have faith if we did.  We only have sight and vision, but God honors those who have faith.  He will always keep His promises to us and will bless those who trust Him with certainty!

Time

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

2 Peter 3:8

Our five year old son said something recently that I have pondered over. He said: “Daddy, God is always on time.”

I admit, that I am stubborn and often forget that simple statement when I am trying to be the God of my universe; I am NOT God. 

God moves in His timing and NOT mine.  He is normally never too early with His blessings, but is also never late, either. 

I am also convinced that He often waits to make sure that I am not going to take matters into my own hands and do something outside of His perfect timing before He intervenes on my behalf.

We must learn to trust God and trust His perfect timing.   We must also learn to rely less on our independence to allow God to be free to do His work, His way.

Trust Him and believe that He is doing a good work in you for His purpose!

The Walk

Make me know Your ways, O LORD ; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.  Psalm 25: 4-5

Waiting on God’s perfect timing is difficult for any believer.  I have certainly had my share of experience in waiting on God and looking back, those times helped me to grow in my faith and dependence on Him.   

We are blessed with some wonderful friends and a couple that is very dear to us knows all about being patient.  You see, our friends have tried every possible means of having children of their own.  It has been a very long, difficult and winding road, but all the while they have displayed some inspirational characteristics that are required for successful waiting.

The one that stands out above all the rest is this couple’s courage.  Courage is often times associated with bravery, but I am referring to our friends’ ability to patiently wait for God’s voice instead of only following the advice of their family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.  Doing this requires great faith, humility, and patience, all of which are the other characteristics needed for successful waiting. 

I am pleased to write that their most recent steps in the journey to become parents looks very promising and if they continue to patiently surrender to God’s plan for their lives, I just know that He will bless them beyond their wildest dreams!

Thanks be to God for blessing us with such amazing friends!!