Patience Is Not My Strong Suit

Patience might be one of my greatest weaknesses. Some days, I do just fine being patient. I feel like I can wait forever. Other days, I want what I want (or need what I need) right then and there. When I pray for the Lord to lead the way and answer my requests, I try to leave those prayer requests in God’s hands. But sometimes … my inner self is jumping up and down, clamoring for results.

Waiting is difficult. How many of us can remember the excitement, anxiety, and long endless days of waiting for a special day like Christmas, the first day of school or summer vacation, a trip to the beach, or the arrival of a new sibling? As adults we are able to mostly squelch down our impatience — at least outwardly. But when I think of the preschoolers I’ve known, what they feel is what we see. Most of them do not like to wait. For anything. Their honesty and transparency of feelings endears them to me.

We know that patience can be learned, or at least improved. Practice helps make us better at whatever it is we are practicing — like patience.

Psalm 130:5 gives us good reason to practice waiting. “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5 NIV). In my mind I imagine my body, heart, and soul waiting, my “whole being” yearning toward the Lord. Fervently, with much patience, with my eyes on the finish line, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

Because of the Lord’s word, I can have hope. In my patience or impatience, I can still turn my heart’s eyes to the Lord and rest in Him. I wait for Him and His word gives me hope for my future with Him.

Pray:

Lord Jesus, we pray for our entire being to wait for You, for what You have planned for our lives. As we grow toward You, help us embrace the hope we have for You. Lead us to love the precious ones in our care who are just beginning to learn about patience and waiting. Give us Your heart as we lead and love others around us. With hope in Your holy name, amen.