The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Did you know there are riches in His patience and kindness? He is the Lord of time. He knows the perfect time of things. He isn’t slow to move, His timing is perfect in EVERY situation. The Lord’s patience is for your best benefit on the eternal scale of things. We see so narrowly and only in the immediate moment, when He sees it ALL. Do you trust Him? Has He given you His faith? His faith comes from asking and obeying Him. Has He given you a task to do? Have you done it? Have you learned His contentment where you are? The key is keeping Him as your focus and goal.
His peace is available to us when we rest and trust in Him. Our Source is available to us when we put ourselves into His hands. Where is your focus? Look to His Face. Invite His Holy Spirit to fill you with His Presence. Nothing can separate you from His love. The only distance from Him will be on your part, not His.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Is your focus on what you want? Is what you want …life with Him, or is it something else? For me it is constant reminder to ‘stay on the path’ He has given me. Unfortunately I can be too much like Dug when he hears “squirrel!”. (reference to one of my favorite movies – UP) Distractions can become a real hindrance to forward progress. I must keep my focus on Him.
Can we learn from Him being taught by the Holy Spirit about His patience? Can we learn to activate it in us when it is needed? Are we able to suffer long when it even isn’t our fault? Isn’t that what He does with us? Every parent has to learn this lesson of patience. Think of it this way —- when your kids are especially trying — think of when you’ll be 80 years old and remembering all the times you had with your children and wanting that connection again. What would you give to have those moments again? Maybe these trying moments aren’t as bad as we are feeling? What He can do for you is give you a touch of His eternal perspective .. to help you understand how precious these times are.
How do we get there? Prayer.
Precious prayer — with a real heart, pouring it all out before Him .. honestly. When you are ‘spent’ — stop and listen. Wait for Him. Listen for His Voice to your heart, mind, and spirit.
You make known to me the path of life; in your Presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11