be still

Patience is not really a quality that I possess. I am actually horrible at being patient, in all departments. I admit, I have horrible road rage. Just ask anyone that has ever rode in the "stang" (my car) with me or been on the phone with me while I am driving. Its really bad. I just don't understand why people drive slow. It is beyond my comprehension. Seriously..WHY would you want to go slow?? Here I go, getting all mad when I am not even in my car. I probably need therapy. haha. Not only am I inpatient in my car, I am inpatient in restaurants. I also am the most punctual person you will ever meet. When people are late, it gets on my nerves. Just being honest. I am also extremely inpatient in life too. I want things to happen when I want them to and how I want them to. I am so human. Its frustrating really.

This is a really tough subject for me to talk about because honestly, I don't want to learn patience. If I learn to be patient...won't that mean that I will be okay with waiting for things and slowing down?? Thats the way my little brain sees it. However, being patient and being still is an important concept for me to learn and accept. Not only just to plain accept waiting, but also learn to enjoy the stillness, to see beauty in the waiting times.

As I was thinking about why patience is so hard for me, I had an 'aha!' moment. Patience is so painful because a lot of the time, I don't trust God. It always comes back to that, doesn't it? I want to make things happen. I always give God things and then take it back. A lot of times I don't trust in the power of God. I don't know if it is because I think He simply can't handle it (which really is ridiculous if I think about it) or He just doesn't 'have time' for the little things.

As always, I look for lots of scripture to help me really grasp and learn what the Lord is teaching me. I found a ton of scripture on the importance of patience. (grreeaaat, means I should learn it) Anywho, the scripture made me realize patience is not something to dread. It is a hopeful and peaceful action. To put my hope in Christ and to wait for him to take action is a beautiful surrender.

"God, who gives patience and encouragement..."
Romans 15:5
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13

So first, God is the one who gives me this patience. It is obviously not a natural ability for me. I must ask for and then receive this patience. When God gives patience he also gives encouragement. I will never be called to be patient in a situation and then receive no encouragement from the Lord. I will never have to just wait in silence without any comfort to get me through. God provides it all. He provides the ability to wait patiently and then he provides the love and strength to persevere through the waiting times. Thankfully, he knows my inadequacies in this department. He will provide what I need to 'be still and know that he is God' (psalm 46:1)

The second verse really opened up my eyes to the beauty and vulnerability of patience. We will be FILLED completely with JOY and PEACE when we trust in him. Gosh, he never leaves anything out, does he?? He thinks of everything! He knows that in order to be patient and to trust him, we will definitely need joy and peace. He is so good. Not only will I be waiting for him and his guidance, I will be living a life of joy and peace. A joyful, adventurous life here and now. I do not have to waste the waiting stages by constantly looking to the next stage. I will live this waiting period with excitement! Always looking for God and always living and loving the adventure he undoubtedly will provide.

The verse goes on to say that we will OVERFLOW with confident hope through the Holy Spirit. Synonyms for overflow are abound, swarm, multiply, and in large quantities. (I do love my pocket thesaurus, we are BFF) Our hope will be multiplied by the Holy Spirit. Not only hope for the future and hope that God will provide in all seasons..but a hope for TODAY. We are to be patient but patience does not have to equal dull, boring, or unhappiness. Be confident in God. Have confidence in the fact that God will answer your prayers and will hear your cries."As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me" Micah 7:7. Have that attitude in your waiting stages. What you are waiting for may be huge or small but God will come through. He always does. He will certainly hear you.

I feel lately God is teaching me like crazy. I am just trying to keep up! He is so good. He is a teacher, a friend, a beloved, a King, and my everything. He can certainly bring you adventure, love, purpose, and joy while you are patiently waiting for him. Be still, thankfully He is God and we are not.