This is something I struggle with personally. I’m totally patient when it comes to the “little things” like waiting in a line at the grocery store or waiting on a game to load (actually, this might be debatable). Waiting on life can be hard. For me, it’s wanting to be out on my own and having more independence, just wanting everything to be already put together. Sometimes I look around and think I should have these things, I should be out on my own and then I think “Well, if i had done this that way” or “If I hadn’t have done that at all” and it’s really not fair to think that way. Everything in my past is considered sunk cost. It’s done and I can’t get that money back and I can’t have a do-over because everything behind my present has brought me here and I should be thankful that it’s made me into the person I am today and I’m for the most part happy with.
Even though I can count on God and I can be happy with where I am logically, it’s still difficult by human nature to wait and be content. There’s always something to get to before I feel “set” for life. I have these personal goals for my own life that I feel should be met before I can do something else. God doesn’t see it that way. My way probably won’t work out because I can’t see everything God sees. He knows what’s best for me, what path I should take, what I should be doing now to better my future. I believe that God has given me some opportunities in the past few years that I felt called to and they’ve opened up a passion for His Word inside of me. Honestly and simply, I just love hearing about the marvelous things God has done and what He continues to do in people’s lives today.
His Timing Is PERFECT.
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
We have no idea what God has planned for us, which is definitely scary to think about. We are cultured to be prepared and to know things before they happen. The best way to be prepared is to listen to God when he speaks to you, follow His path and his ways, and have a relationship with Jesus. We need to trust God and know that He is perfect, therefore His timing will be as well.
As believers, we sometimes think we have some insight and ask God, isn’t this a good time? Why am I not being blessed the way I want? Why don’t have what I want? In reality, we are not spoiled but rather richly blessed and our reward will be in heaven.
Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Matthew 5:12
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
He Is Our PROTECTOR.
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
2 Peter 3:9
What a God! Some of our fleshly temptations and actions could lead to self destruction. God is there to protect us because His ways are the best ways. God knows where we are headed just as He knew our name before we were even born.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a singly day had passed.
Psalm 139:13-16
He Keeps His PROMISE.
This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Habakkuk 2:3
Am I the only one who didn’t know Habakkuk was a book of the Bible? In my ~23 years of life, I never knew until I came across it. Wow!! Anyway…
“If it seems slow in coming” – yes, all the time, God, all the time. Knowing that God keeps His promises and plans is reassuring while we live in a world of such destruction, uncertainty and humans who by nature fail at keeping their word. Isn’t it amazing?
At BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) we’ve been studying in 1 and 2 Samuel – David’s life. It’s been amazing the way God stayed with David – told him what to do (or don’t do) and made the covenant with David. Jesus came later and saved us all, just as God told David (not in so many words but… we know now that that’s where God’s plan was). If we as believers could be reminded of how God made bold promises and has a plan that He follows through with time and time again, we would all be a bit more patient as we (actively) wait for His divine timing in our lives.
We Can TRUST In Him
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
This scripture, funny enough, has been on my grandma’s shower curtain for years and that’s probably how I just remember this verse (but not where it’s found because I’m bad about that). I love this verse because so many times we’re tempted to think we have it all figured out and together when we don’t or we just can’t – we don’t have that ability to put life together and know what to do before something happens.
He Is FAITHFUL.
The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.
Lamentations 3:25-26
When I read this verse, I thought about if/then statements. If we do this, then this will happen (usually). If we pray, then He will listen to us. If we depend on Him, then He will provide. It’s helpful to think about because sometimes we need things dumbed down when we tend to make things more complicated either by overthinking or making rituals out of simplistic stuff.
We can trust God, He has proven His faithfulness through the scriptures, through the ages and in our own past. Regardless of what we do or say, God will always remain faithful.
He Is PROVIDER.
My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
Psalm 31:15
Are you worried about your future? Are you at a point where you don’t know what choice to make or where to go? Sometimes we forget where we are right now. Look around you and see what God has already provided. God can take away the worry and guide you along His path for your life.
Recently, in reading 1 Samuel and how God was with David, I was in awe of God. God didn’t just provide for David, but David was looking to God for guidance, direction, security, and hope. When David cried out to God for help, God would answer Him.
Our help from the Lord may not come in the same way it was portrayed in the Bible but talking to God and KNOWING who He is will be a sure way of knowing what He is telling you to do.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it’s own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34
He Is AUTHORITY.
He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know…”
Acts 1:7
Jesus was responding to the apostles asking if the time has come for Jesus to free Israel and restore the kingdom. As usual, Jesus chose this time to teach. God is the single one of all who knows everything about everything.
It’s scary – the unknown. What time will it happen? Am I prepared? What is God calling me to? Why hasn’t He responded to me?
When you were a child, you most likely asked a lot of questions like “Why” “Are we there yet?” “When are we leaving?” “Is it time?” “How much longer?” And if you’re a parent or can sympathize, it’s frustrating to be asked that ALL. THE. TIME. (or every two minutes). God is slow to anger and we are not worthy, we are like children all our lives – messing up, learning, disciplined.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
Psalm 103:8
Reflective Questions:
- What distracts you from His truth? Meaning that God’s promises and plans are far beyond what we can dream up or think about, so what distracts you from remembering this in times of anxiousness?
- What’s an attribute of God you describe Him with most?
- Do you trust God to let the worries of tomorrow go?
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