3 Keys to Practicing Patience

Isn't it funny how sometimes we feel like we're ready for something, but realize down the road that we were actually far from it at the time?

We hope and pray for something to happen-- a job, a relationship, a friendship, an opportunity for something, a process to complete, the list goes on. We don't get it.. don't get it.. then, after a long-awaited period of time that seemed to drag on forever and a lifetime, maybe some dragging of our feet, some kicking and screaming, tears and pleas, it finally comes to life. 

It might not be in the ways we had anticipated, but there it is. In some way, shape, or form.. sometimes the exact way we had envisioned, sometimes the polar opposite, yet still satisfying the desire you had in your heart. 

And you think... "I prayed for this. Here it is."

It's beautiful when it happens, right?

So beautiful. 

And the wait ended up totally worth it. 

Do you remember how you were in the timeframe starting when you began hoping and praying and wishing for something until it was fulfilled? 

Or, what if it never is or never was answered?

There's a song that talks about thanking God for unanswered prayers, and I know for certain that some of my greatest blessings are in fact unanswered prayers.

My life would look a whole lot different right now if all of them got answered, and thank the lucky stars that we don't have that type of control over our own lives. I would've made a mess out of the beautiful plan that God has. 

When we're in the season of waiting, how often would we take or do we try to take things into our own hands because we're tired of being patient with God's timing in answering those things we so strongly yearn for?

The Bible says..  "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."//Psalm 37:7 

But what if I'm tired of being still, tired of being patient? 

We're reassured.. Galatians 6:0//Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.

But what if my heart is growing weary?
What if some days I can't stop the tears from falling in frustration?
What if the life I'd imagined is far from what it is?
Does God even hear my prayers?
When is my season going to be due?
What, when, who, where, why?  

Instead of waiting, we begin to feel defeated, frustrated, discouraged, and think that if God isn't going to come through, then we'll figure it out ourselves in our own way, in our own time. 

Do we forget that when we take it into our own hands, that our hands are those that grow weary, weak, and only have the ability to accomplish something temporary?

There's a God that created mountains, that knows every little detail of every little thing on this earth.. that performed miracles, that also wants us to surrender and trust in Him and His timing, and to do so joyfully.

How do we do that when it gets hard?

I'm there. I've been there for longer than I'd like to be, but honestly, it's been the most beautiful time of my life. Yes, some days I do get so frustrated and want to have it all figured out, but really, it's opened my eyes to so much and given me the opportunity to practice patience, even when I didn't want to.

If you're there now and wondering how to get through it without giving up.. Here's what I've found to be key in persevering. 

People. Surround yourself with people who build you up, encourage you, pray for and with you, people that believe in you and wont discount you and your dreams because it's "too crazy." Maybe you've known them your entire life, maybe you just met them last weekend.. regardless. Invest in relationships, in people, in being present. Don't just be superficial, dig deep- ask questions.. truly get to know someone deeper than what's on the surface. Times are going to get tough, and you're going to want to have people by your side that aren't going to let some challenges scare them away. Find your people, hold them tight, and don't let them go. 

Pause. This is THE absolute hardest thing to do (for me at least). In a time of fast-paced, go go go, it seems ridiculous to just be. However, sometimes that's exactly what the Lord wants us to do. Just. let. it. be. Stop trying to force things, stop trying to speed up the process. Just let it go and let God do the rest.

Take a break from the constant problem-solving you're trying to do. Stop giving your heart to people that are completely undeserving simply because you're lonely. Stop seeking out opportunities in a field that you don't love just because you feel like you need to be doing something. Stop trying to please people in the ways you live and the things you do just to gain their approval. Pause before your proceed. It might be just the thing your heart so earnestly needs.

Pray. God doesn't just want to hear about the good stuff. He wants to hear your anger, your frustration. He can take you yelling at Him. He'd rather have that than you not talking to Him at all. Nothing you say to Him will ever be enough to make Him run away from you or stop loving you.

Tell him what you're feeling, tell Him your desires. Have you ever thought maybe you have not because you ask not? Talk to Him. It doesn't have to be a huge ordeal, it doesn't have to be an hour-long thing. Make it what you want, whatever you're comfortable with. Once you do, do you find yourself feeling better, calmer, more relaxed, or more confident in a situation?

I know it isn't easy to be patient, but I also know that these three P's have been everything to me in seeking out His plan for me. Our hands will grow weary, His will not. Not now, not next year, not ever.

How could we not turn to the creator of the Universe whose plan is so good for us, that promises we will reap if we do not lose heart? 

I don't know about you, but I'd rather put my trust there than in myself because what I can see is solely the tip of an iceberg above the ocean, and what He has in store.. there's an entire iceberg underneath just waiting to be discovered. 

---