Patience: How Hard Could That Be?

To be honest, I’m not very good at patience. I struggle with waiting. I begin to think the worst has happened when my friends are ten minutes late for a party at my house. I can’t sleep when I’m waiting for an important announcement. I get frustrated when someone doesn’t respond to my email within forty-eight hours! We all spend years of our lives waiting. Waiting for our orders at a restaurant. Waiting for answered prayers. Waiting for a true friend. Waiting for Jesus’ return. This all goes to show how important it is to learn patience because we are all waiting. So then, what are we supposed to do? Lounge around in our basements, watching the clock and eating snacks? Not at all! The type of waiting that honors God is purpose-driven and action- focused, and it’s so much more than sitting around. Continue to talk to God about what you’re waiting for. Trust Him and root yourself in His Word and your church. Continue to point to Jesus, using the gifts and talents you’ve been given in service to His kingdom. Search for God’s countless blessings—they are there, even when you might not see them as clearly right now. Patience in the waiting is difficult, but, in Christ, you aren’t alone (Matthew 28:20). Though we might wish a response would come sooner, God will answer in His perfect timing, completing the kingdom work He started in us (Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). • Abby Ciona • What things cause you to lose your patience? Why? • Read Matthew 28:20, Philippians 1:6, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. As Christians, what promises from God can we rest in while we wait? Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 33:20; James 5:7-8