04 Oct The Power of Patience in Waiting

Waiting takes patience. I often don’t identify myself as a patient person, but know that patience is just one of the many things God wants me to learn during this trial. I know I will need much more patience when we do have kids, and need to work on becoming a more patient person when we don’t.

As mentioned in the previous post, I was going to write about some articles about waiting.

Patience is developed over time, as I am learning. It’s one of the fruits of the spirit, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22

When we face a delay, it’s an opportunity to choose to act maturely, with patience, or like a toddler, with a childish tantrum. When we are patient and spiritually mature in the midst of a trial we are able to understand that God is working for our good and molding us into the person He wants us to become. It is so easy to miss God’s blessing in a trial when we take matters into our own hands.

Whenever He delays, remember that He’s always faithful and will provide for us in the best possible way at the perfect time.

Who demonstrated patience in the bible? David. I have written one post about David and his waiting room, back in June. David has many qualities we would all like to have as he was one of the greatest men in the Old Testament. One example is related to patience in 1 Samuel.

Saul anointed David as the next king of Israel in 1 Samuel 16:13. Over the years, David had to patiently wait for God through lots of unfair treatments. David spared Saul’s life in 1 Samuel 24, when he was urged to kill him. It took him patience to realize he would have to wait on the Lord to become king and not follow the urges of his men. In 1 Samuel 26, David refused to kill Saul again. David did not want to move ahead of God’s timing and decided to leave Saul’s destiny in God’s hands.

David had the following traits that helped him respond to his trials:

• Faith – He trusted God would give him the kingdom when he saw no evidence.
• Sensitivity – David walked closely with the Lord 
• Wisdom – David looked beyond the circumstances of his situation and sought the heart of God
• Obedience – David obeyed the Lord’s commands despite what his men encouraged him to do
• Courage – David took a stand for courage and strength as he waited on God.
• Perseverance – David endured trials as he waited instead of taking the easy way out
• Forbearance – He approached Saul with love and respect, despite how Saul mistreated him.