In my life I have heard it said many times “Do not pray for patience. You know how God gives you patience right? All hell breaks loose in your life. Every line you get in will be long, and every one will begin to get under your skin. So do not pray for patience.”
So I never have, but I have asked for maturity so I suppose I inadvertently asked for it, since patience is part of maturity. I found this past weekend, in discussing life with a small group of friends, Patience seems to be the what God is working in us all. Patience causes the ability to endure which, as I said last Monday, is definitely the theme of my life right now. Interestingly enough my devotional Saturday was on patience, and then Saturday night was when everyone agreed that was what God was doing in their life. So I thought I would share Saturdays devotional here.
“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be (mature)…wanting nothing.” James 1:4
Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean God has changed His mind. While you are waiting – God is working. The timing may not be right for Him to get the ultimate glory, and you the maximum benefit. That is why the Bible says: “Let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfect (mature)…wanting nothing”
Impatience is a sign of immaturity. Children can’t wait for anything! So are you being childish or showing maturity? God sets His watch to accomplish His purpose, not ours. Paul writes “We know all things work…according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 para.). When you understand God’s purpose you won’t permit things that are contrary to it, including hurry and worry. You’ll also know how to allocate your time, your energy, and your money – who you should spend your life with, and who you should not.
God says, ” I make known the end from the beginning” (Is 46:10 NIV). First God sets the goal, then He determines the steps that lead to it. And what are we supposed to do while we are waiting? Listen: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine, thought the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Hab.3:17 NIV)
Begin thanking God for what He has done, and what He is going to do on your behalf, as he works His patience in you.
In a discussion I had with my sister about patience she said “When you sow a pansy you will have a quick harvest, yet it will wither away as quick as it came up. If you want an oak tree it is going to take a long time, and will require a lot of nurture, yet in the end will prove to stand against anything.” In whatever it is you are believing for or walking through, do you want an Oak, or a pansy?
I’ve always said I know the Lord is teaching me patience, I just wish He’d hurry it up! 😉
Hugs,
Holly
Amen sister! I want the “oak tree” myself, so I guess I better be patient. But I am going to wait EXPECTANTLY! He is going to do it and until He does I choose to praise HIm no matter what!
I watched Evan Almighty, and will not forget the line when Morgan Freeman (playing God) says “if you pray for patience, God will not give you patience, but opportunities to be patient.” This really hit home with me. I admit I have prayed for patience. But I have also prayed for God to do His will in my life. My question now is: when you’re waiting on something you want in life, to move or get a job, or the like, how do you know whether God is giving you the opportunity to be patient, or whether it is not His will? When do you “give up?” because surely it is not wise to continue to expect something that is not God’s plan for your life. Do you have to want nothing to be mature? Do I have to give up on my desires for them to happen? That is depressing to me.