To sum up my former unwritten philosophy: If I can't do it now, it isn't worth doing at all. After three years dating, we got married three weeks after he said something romantic like “OK I’ll marry you”. I didn’t dare plan a wedding and then wait, pretty sure he would change his mind if waited. I never planned a vacation in advance. I couldn't imagine waiting and how did I know what I’d be doing when the time came. If I start a diet today I expect to wake up thin tomorrow or why bother.
I wanted to be recovered from the pain and trauma of divorce immediately. I needed to know instantly what would be the results of the divorce settlement, where I would live, where I would work, what would be the custody arrangements. Why didn’t I feel better immediately? Why weren’t the anger, grief and pain gone immediately?
Looking back I see how the lack of patience affected my marriage and other relationships. I am finally coming to recognize it’s best to be patient and wait for the right time to talk to the other person – not just blurt out – what did you do? where did you go? when are you going to sign settlement papers?
Galatians 5:22 says "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience” ..
There are times we are to be patient, but there are also times to take action:
Proverbs 31:15: “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”
1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore prepare your minds for action ... “
The most difficult for me is knowing when to wait patiently and when to take action.
As a single mother with a 10 year old child, one day I came home and my next door neighbor told me she was evicted. I immediately decided we might as well also move. I went to church the next Sunday, remembered a house for sale nearby and decided to drive by. There was an open house going on. I went in, liked it, put in an offer and that was that! Later that day I remembered I had never prayed about it and then prayed something like “ oh by the way God, I bought a house, hope it’s ok with you”. Although I knew we are to pray, wait for God’s answer, and then take action after getting his answer, I blindly went forward on my own power. Never mind that I couldn’t afford it.
Has impatience ever affected your life or relationships? Do you remember to wait for God’s answers before jumping into action?
Ps. 40:1 “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.”
Ps 37.7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him ..”
James 5:7-8: "Be patient then brothers until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near."
In this passage in James we see the farmer waiting for the land to yield its crop but we know he had to first plant the seed. After he plants the seed he is to be patient and wait.
How difficult is it for you to be patient and wait? Do you need to ask God for patience in certain areas of your life? Or is it time to prayerfully Take Action?
Friday, December 5, 2008
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