When Patience Has Its Perfect Work

Waiting is hard. Let's be honest, in this microwave society that we have all grown accustomed to, we all hate to wait. From waiting in traffic to waiting in line, it's just not easy to wait. However, during this season of my life, I have learned some valuable lessons in waiting that I hope will inspire you.

Psalm 130:5 says, "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.” What beautiful words, but what does it mean to "wait on the Lord"? Here is what I have learned, to wait is to surrender to God's timing and control. Woah! That's a mouthful. In other words, we must keep in step with God continually, day by day, at His pace, and learn to rest in Him. This is not easy to do, because it requires work and discipline. I had to really become intentional with seeking God's face and His perfect will for my life everyday to stay in step with His rhythm. I was very careful not to move ahead of Him or become slothful when He said go! To do this I had to increase my level of intimacy through prayer, reading His Word, and develop a lifestyle of fasting according to the Isaiah 58. As a result I began to change. I felt different. I moved differently. I learned to rest in God and wait patiently for Him to speak, give direction and instruction. I found myself looking in the mirror asking myself, "Who are you"? Patience was having its perfect work in my life and I was beggining to really understand James 1:4, “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

It's important to share that during this season of my life ALL HELL was breaking loose every other day! I was so overwhelmed, frustrated, and I desperately was trying to figure out how to fix everything that was happening. You know that's what we do. Instead of letting God teach me I was too busy trying to figure it out and fix it. A sista was worn out! My mind was exhausted! I went up for prayer one Sunday because I was just so overwhelmed. My Pastor prayed with me and said these words "rest, rest, rest". God wanted me to STOP trying to fix and figure things out, and just REST. It was my job to figure out what exactly that meant and how to do it! So I started seeking and studying God's Word and before I knew it I had entered into His rest.

During seasons of pruning it's important to understand the season and discern what you should or should not be doing. I was in a season of "patience pruning" and boy did it hurt! I don't know anybody who prays for patience or enjoys the process of becoming patient. So, if you find yourself in a season of "patience pruning" you will need a sustaining source to lean on while your waiting for God to move in your life. Trust me.

1. #HOPE is the key to patience and God's word is the key to hope. "In His Word I hope" Psalm 130:5

2. #SURRENDER to God's will and His ways, they are perfect. Don't resist the process it will only take longer. Patience is the evidence of strong faith, because it is the result of a surrendered heart, that hangs its hope on the promises of God.

3. Meditate on the #PROMISES of God by studying His Word concerning the season you are in. A few #PromisesForThePatient can be found in Isaiah 49:29; Isaiah 64:4; Isaiah 40:31

4. #PRAY for more faith to trust His will, strength to accept His plan and to believe His promises.

Remember, patience is the ability to wait on God's timing and accept His will, with joy, peace, hope, and assurance of His goodness. Rest in Him, He has everything under control.

#WaitOnTheLord
#Perspective
#Patience
#ERLV2
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Excerpt from The Endurance Ride of Life Volume 2 "Becoming Fruitful" #ERLV2