Sometimes anxiety can cause us to question God’s perfect timing. We are often unaware that God is working in “the wait” and that you gain patience while waiting.
The Word of God is chock full of lessons on how to wait and when to act. Meditate on these principles from scriptures about patience that will buoy you up in waters of uncertainty.
1. God is giving us time to confess and repent of our transgressions against his divine law.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
2. Relax, there is no one to keep up with, God’s children are in a class by themselves.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (Psalms 37:7)
3. Wait on God, like a waiter. Serve him and experience the blessing in the waiting.
“And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” (Isaiah 30:18)
4. Just because the right thing doesn’t seem to be working doesn’t mean its not right. Keep at it.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)
5. If God says “yes,” then do not stress.
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:3)
6. Challenges and setbacks cultivate anticipation and perseverance.
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:” (Romans 5:2)
7. Don’t avoid a challenge. God is working on you.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” (Romans 12:12)
8. There are No shortcuts to patience.
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:3)
9. Tough times sooner make you stronger later. Bear your trial quietly and prayerfully.
“The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.” (Lamentations 3:25 – 3:27)
10. Difficult times draw us closer to God.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” (Psalms 40:1)
11. Trials cultivate patience and patience, humility.
“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8)
12. Be patient with others’ faults, forgive often and easily.
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:12)
13. God is coming back for his precious people, use this time to work out your salvation.
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:7)
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