Patience

Waiting, waiting on the world to Change. This isn't a christian song but it is so true. We are constantly waiting on God to change the world. There is so much to change. We have to keep waiting on that change.  Patience is so important as christians. It can be one of the hardest things to be in this world. But patience can show the love of God and His wonderfulness and great and powerful love. Patience can also be hard when waiting on God and waiting to see what His plans are and where He is taking us in our lives and where He wants us to go. He doesn't always make it 100% clear what we are supposed to do or what to do but we have to trust Him! Not trusting Him will give us anxiety and lead to a life apart from Him. He does everything in His time.

 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV). 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:12-16 NIV). Romans 12 is really special and just how to love people and just waiting. What should we do when we are waiting we should turn to God in prayer. 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 NIV). 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV). 

I finished Elisabeth Elliot's book through gates of splendor today and it is just so amazing all the prayer the men went through and the submission to God and faithfulness and just not giving up. They even gave their lives. Sometimes people do have to die before others will turn to God and His plans come through. We don't always get to see things with our own eyes. It can be really hard waiting on God sometimes and wondering if what we are doing is even fruitful or worth it. That can lead to starting to doubt God. Patience takes a lot of practice. Patience can be a huge witness to God. We need it with christians and non-christians. It is so much easier to give up in life. In the book one of the men was working privately on another mission before the Aucas and said he was feeling like he was wasting people's money and time and he wasn't fit to do this job anymore. We can be super strong in Christ and still struggle with waiting on Gods plans and His perfect timing. He does everything at the perfect time and reason. About a year ago my neighbors who were like my second family were getting ready to move. I thought it was the stupidest thing and that God wasn't doing it and I didn't understand why God would take them away or change things. I know understand how perfect Gods timing and plan was and that if I had trusted Him and been patient to see it through I would be the fruit! God does not have the intention of keeping everything the same forever. Elisabeth Elliot and the 4 other wives did not think that very night their husbands would die and they would never see or hear from them again. God had a different plan. He was ready for them to go Home. Just like a pastor in Montana; suddenly one night his 5 year old daughter went to her eternal home. Was he ready for that? No but God was. He knew what He was doing and we just have to understand that. God has to be patient with us; even when we turn to Him we still fall and for some they never turn to Him. He is still a loving father though! 

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. (Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 NIV). 

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:13, 15, 17-25 NIV). 

Patience is the ability to be able to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or sufferings without being angry or upset. God is always faithful!!