“A watched pot is slow to boil!” my grandmother said when I was a child. After she put a full pot of water on the stovetop, we never sat and waited, but instead, she used the time to teach me other cooking tips. Although I didn't know it then, this wisdom extended beyond the kitchen, teaching me that waiting can be a time for learning and growth.
In our fast-paced, instant gratification world, the challenge of waiting for something has only increased; being patient is becoming a lost practice. Frustration comes quickly when the order we placed isn't ready, the package is delayed, traffic is at a standstill, or the email or text we are waiting on still hasn't come. Since these minor daily setbacks can cause us to lose patience, it is understandable that when prayers continue to go unanswered, doors keep closing, or we feel completely stuck in our circumstances, we can begin to spiral downward. It can be so hard when it looks like everyone else is moving forward, and you seem to remain in the same place of wanting and needing circumstances to change. So, how do we fight against the temptation to be anxious and impatient while waiting?
During times of waiting, I find solace and guidance in God's Word, a source of wisdom and promises that never fail to comfort me. As we turn to Scripture, we realize how crucial patience is in the plan of the God we serve. We see the promise of good things to come to those who wait on the LORD. God is patient, and he calls us, his children, to also be patient. And because God is our provider, he gives us the gift of his patience, endurance, strength, and power through His Holy Spirit.
Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
James 1:2-4 - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested(and patience is practiced), your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Colossians 1:10-12 - Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
Psalm 37:7-9 - "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land."
What can happen during a period of waiting? Imagine yourself in a busy train station. You get in line, feeling excited about the journey ahead. The ticket master hands you a ticket and points you in the right direction. You quickly walk to the platform and anxiously await your train. You are so ready and focused on what is to come that you barely notice anything else around you. A few trains pull into the station, but they are not yours. People get on and go on their way, and you are left behind. Feeling slightly deflated and questioning, “Why?” you sit and wait for the next train to arrive. More trains come and go, and it feels like the whole world is moving forward (that is, everyone but you). But then, something changes. In the waiting, you begin to notice the people around you. You see how many people need assistance and offer a helping hand. You share stories with those on your bench, find common ideas, and learn from each other. You begin to appreciate the quiet times when you can spend time in prayer. You are reminded to depend on God, have faith in his timing, and understand he has you right where you are for a reason. As your patience grows, you begin to have peace and trust that good things come to those who wait. When your train finally arrives, it is so beautiful, far greater than you envisioned. You are ready, you are prepared, and you can see that this is the perfect train to get you where God wants you to go.
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Father God,
It is hard to wait. It is hard to be patient. So many times, I want things to go according to my timing, but I surrender that desire to you right now. I declare that I fully trust in You. I fully trust in your plan for my life, and I fully trust in your perfect timing. Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit, who shares the gift of patience and endurance with me. I know when I ask for it, I will receive it.
In the waiting and on the move, help me to grow this good fruit so I can be an impactful part of your Kingdom story.
In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen
Apply This Blog:
Think about the area(s) in your life where lessons are being learned in the waiting. Ask God what he is showing you as he asks you to practice patience. Try to notice the growth or impact that happens during this time. Have faith that God's timing is perfect, and trust he has good plans for you. Pray that what he has prepared is even greater than you ever imagined.
