Recently at work, during our read aloud time, I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Ugly Truth  by Jeff Kinney to a group of elementary children.  The story is about a boy named Greg who is in middle school and having to go through the classes on puberty.  His mother adds to his embarrassment by giving him a book to read about puberty.  The kids loved the book but every time I read the word puberty, they would wrinkle up their faces and say yuck!  We started calling it the ugly “P” word.  It became our private joke.

It reminded me of times when I had issues with another ugly “P” word – patience.  UGH!  I would have to say patience was not a strong suit of mine when I first started on this journey with Jesus.  I’m not saying it is a strong suit now, but I don’t cringe at the word and want to run from it like I used to.

While waiting on God’s promise of healing to manifest in my life I have encountered moments (many) where patience needs to do its perfect work.  I want to be healed right now or yesterday or three years ago, but here I am – waiting and learning more about patience and how hard it is.  What about you?  Are you being taught patience through something you are going through right now?  Does it feel like patience is an ugly “P” word?

One of the most difficult aspects of waiting, I think, is to continue believing for the promise to be fulfilled.  In my case, that is healing, it may be different in yours.  Waiting stinks.  Romans 1:17 says the just shall live by his faith.  So if I am to live by faith, then giving up isn’t an option.  Building my faith is, however, and I can do that by looking at the character of Jesus and His words and determining that regardless of how long it takes for this promise to be fulfilled in my life, God is faithfully working behind the scenes to bring it to pass.

The process of waiting and building and rebuilding our faith has a purpose and that is to prepare us for the promises of God to come to pass in our lives.

What to do while waiting?  Practice gratitude, read Psalms, enjoy a sunset, read a good book, play a game with a friend, watch your favorite TV show, take a friend to lunch, etc.  Find ways to make waiting less of a chore and more of a relaxed way of life.  Practice savoring the moment, one moment at a time.  Fight against discouragement.  Speak words of life over yourself and others and keep your eyes on Jesus – the Author and the Finisher of your faith, of my faith.

Father in heaven, forgive me for my impatience and as I look to You will You perfect my faith?  I know that Your plans and purposes for my life are perfected in Your ways and in Your times but patience doesn’t come easy to me.  Help me find ways to wait patiently with grace and trust and joy.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I would love to hear from you.  Please let me know if I can be praying for you as well.

pic credit: thriveglobal.com

pic credit: brianschamp.com