Dave’s Monday Blast — July 26, 2015
Picture yourself driving down that perfect road to some long awaited summer vacation destination that you just can’t wait to get to. Looks good doesn’t it? Now then…you round a corner and see THAT sign, “Flag Man Ahead…Expect Delays”. Ugh…just when you were so close! Or how about that checkout line at the grocery store that hasn’t moved for ten minutes. Most of us get frustrated in a hurry. We live in a culture that expects instant results. Everyone struggles with some degree of impatience. We are born with this trait…think about a three-month-old who wants milk in the middle of the night. The inborn reaction is to fuss at the first hint of discomfort and to keep at it until the need is met. Patterns from our old “flesh” nature make this a continual battle for most people, but one that is very worthwhile to fight.
In Touch Ministries has this to say on the Biblical definition of patience. “It can mean both longsuffering and perseverance, or not giving up and yielding under pressure. In either case, it reveals itself when we are willing to wait without frustration while suffering or experiencing some strong desire. In other words, we accept difficult situations without giving God deadlines. What’s more, patience means accepting what the Lord gives, on His timetable…or what He chooses not to give. This quality results in inner peace and lack of stress. Meanwhile, we should pray, obey, and persist as we seek God’s direction.” That is good isn’t it!
The danger of impatience is that we might miss the Lord’s perfect plan and His blessings as we substitute it for our own. Only when we trust our Father’s will and timing can we rest peacefully.
What causes you stress my friends? Carefully examine whether you are taking matters into your own hands or releasing the circumstance to Almighty God. Listen to Psalm 37:7, which says, “Rest in your own strength because you are in control”… NO it doesn’t! It does say, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” Seek His way and His timing. Anything else can be destructive. It seems counter-intuitive to wait and not act. But Men of INTENTION understand this paradox.
