Aerial Shot of Bainbridge, GA
Through faith and patience [you shall] inherit the promises [of God]. (Hebrews 6:12, KJV)
Why is it that I so often lack the patience and faith I need to see God’s promises come to pass in my life? Perhaps it is because I have grown accustomed to getting what I want, when I want it, and how I want it. Let’s call it the Burger King “Have It Your Way” phenomenon or the McDonald’s 60 Second Service Rule! Perhaps it is simply because I have a tendency to be hyper-focused on meeting the goal. Or perhaps…just perhaps I sometimes have trouble living out my patience and faith in God, trusting that He shall bring His will to pass in my life no matter how much time goes by!
The Importance of Patience and Faith
What’s the problem with being impatient? Well, for one…it often times leads me to make decisions based on my own natural understanding instead of leaning upon and trusting in the wisdom I must dig out of God’s Word, the wisdom that comes from spending time in His presence. Impatience is also a sign of being flesh-ruled instead of spirit-ruled. And nothing good ever came out of my allowing my flesh to rule. Instead, I am to “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all [my] heart and mind and do not rely on [my] own insight or understanding. In all [my] ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain [my] paths.”(Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP)
Finding Your Patience and Faith
I realize that this is often easier said than done. However, one anthem I refuse to take up as my own is I Did It My Way! Rather, I desire to be able to say at all times and at all costs, “I did it His way!” For, as time goes by and I continue to wait for His promises to come to pass in my life, I know more and more the truth of the Lord’s words as recorded by the Prophet Isaiah:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 5:8-9, NIV)
I must, then, cultivate patience at all costs. For, I desire to see His promises come to pass in my life. I am willing to wait EVEN IF it looks like nothing is happening, EVEN IF some folks might say I am foolish, EVEN IF I am tempted to take over and make something happen. Why? Because I know that His plans for me are better than anything I could plan for myself… Because I know His timing is perfect… Because I know that He is God…and I am not!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)
Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2-3, NKJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)
By Stephanie A. Pack of Faith to Faith International. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook!
