Patience

Well this is a lesson, a spiritual fruit, and a true test that I am continually learning and growing in each day.  At this time our family has been waiting patiently for the Lord to lead us to the right home. We thought we had found it several times, but for different reasons the Lord has closed doors. As my husband and I pray about this and ask God to lead us He has been speaking to us through our devotional readings, friends, family and do you know what He has been saying to us? BE PATIENT, WAIT ON ME, I WILL GUIDE YOU TO THE RIGHT APPOINTED TIME.

Yeah that is really what I want Him to say as we are approaching a year of living with my in laws and feeling like we are becoming a huge burden.  I so struggle with trying to figure it all out, make sense of it all and yet I find no logic, no sense. Just the fact that I know the Lord has a plan and that He is in control and I am not!

What has personally been a huge struggle is that during this time of waiting I have seen it affect me in ways that have been good and not so good. The good is that I find myself going to the Lord in prayer more than ever before, because I feel and have seen Him working.

To be perfectly honest I have always struggled with patience and having things right away. During this time my patience for most everything has been running thin. I have to stop and regroup several times a day and then there are days I fail miserably at having any patience at all.

Has anyone else felt that way or is it just me?

Even through this time, God continues to show up and He is faithful. Just to give you a few titles of my devotionals lately (seriously, you can’t make this stuff up!):

·      God’s Timing,

·      Walk away from worry

·      Are you tuned in?

·      Who you are meant to be (God’s plan)

·      My Way?

·      A Long and winding Path (Be still),

·      Stop and See (Stand Still and trust)

·      When the Journey Gets Tough

·      Not what I planned.

       

             I am not kidding.  

             All of these titles have come up recently as well as some more.

 But the Lord keeps yelling (just kidding, it’s always in His gentle voice) in my ear about this and He continually giving me verses and stories to help me through this time.  I am so thankful that He is patient with me and that He loves me that much. He still brings the verses, stories, family and friends with encouraging words, to be in front of me to help with the patience and the waiting. He is faithful.

I know someday soon I will be able to write about how HE has given us the Home, but until then I keep praying and learning about His timing and faithfulness.

So when you feel like you just can’t take it anymore (and I have plenty of those days) bring it to the Lord.

If you have ever felt that way, or that this is a struggle for you, let me know.  Share what you have learned and then I can pray for you too!

Psalm 46: 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 142:3 “ When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path.”

Ecclesiastes 8:6a”For every matter is a time”

God’s timetable may move slowly, but it does move surely.

~Holly

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Wait for Me...

During this time in my life, as a family, we are experiencing a time of patience and perseverance. This is a very hard thing to do. As a believer in Christ, in my head and my heart I know that the Lord provides and He is faithful. If I look at all the experiences in my past I can see the hand of God over my life and His provisions at every turn.  And yet my human, sinful nature begins to doubt that God will do what He says He will do. At those moments of doubt it is important to be reminded of what He says in His Scriptures. He always brings us back to what He promises. In James 1:2-7 we read:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. “

 Photo By Grea Wessels aka Grieks

James talks about considering it pure Joy when we go through trials, knowing that it is a testing of our faith.  As we doubt we are like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed. A tossing wave in the sea is so moveable and uncertain, even so powerful at times, it is highly unstable and unpredictable.  Our doubt is powerful and moves us away from the faith and trust we have in our Lord.  However, we are to endure and God requires us to hold on to see what He can do within the trial. If we can persevere, the blessings are unmatchable. During the trial, I know I am trying to figure out the outcome and trying to reason; however, I can’t. It is beyond my understanding and that is where faith comes into practice.  All trials are different and are tough.

Another analogy God uses in His Word is a rock and firm foundations. I continue to be challenged by this and want to move my faith to become more like a firm foundation, solid as rock. Just as in His parable of the wise and foolish Builders. (Matthew 7:24-27) Where is your faith built? Is it built on the solid rock or on sand?

I continue to be challenged with this and look to the Scriptures for my guidance. There may be a trial in your life that you are facing at this moment that is beyond your understanding. You may be wondering…why am I going through this?  It could be an illness, a loss of job, a decision facing your family that affects the future. Whatever it is God is right there with you if you allow Him to be, and I am speaking to myself too!

I came across a great definition of perseverance:

•   Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience, and endurance.

•   Perseverance is being able to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint.

•   Perseverance is trying again and again.

 I asked myself: Am I committed and patient? Am I bearing this trial calmly and without complaint? Well, I am doing some of that, but I’m also reminded of what I need to do more of and less of during this time.  In all things God works for the good: Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

“God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.” ~C.S. Lewis

Have hope today, knowing that God is in control and will be glorified in these trials.