Patience (Elements of Existence) #AtoZChallenge

 Traffic Jam in Delhi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

      In this world, and especially in our time, we have to have a lot of patience.  We find ourselves on phone hold, sitting in traffic, or waiting in lines.   We wait for important mail, checks, or for dinner to be ready.  Rarely do we enjoy waiting, but whether or not we like it, waiting is a fact of life.

       Some of us may be waiting for God to do something big in our lives.  Or for that matter something small.  We wait for God and wonder where He is when we need him.  It's not like the futility of honking ones horn in the traffic or complaining to others when the line is long and doesn't seem to be moving fast enough.  We might try praying, but it's important to remember that we are on God's time and within God's plans for us.

         Grumbling will only discourage us and get us feeling despondent.   Praise God for what you have and wait for your prayers to be answered.  Stress and negativity is not only bad for your health, it can literally kill you.   Be glad that you are able to wait with hope within you.  

          Faith will bring healing and eventually the right answer to prayers.  Patience in the presence of God has rewards far bigger than anything you wait for in this world.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

New International Version (NIV)

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What's the Big Hurry?

Prague, Běchovice, memorial to a running race. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

         An impatient person can be prone to doing foolish things. They want what they want when they want it and will sometimes make bad decisions rather than keep waiting for something to happen.  These bad decisions can lead to dangerous outcomes.

          The driver anxious to get somewhere might jump the red light or exceed the speed limit in order to get where they are going more quickly.   The consequences can be unexpectedly bad and sometimes even fatal.  The itchiness to move at one's own pace can be a terrible decision if approached haphazardly without thinking clearly.

       God's timing is not the same as ours.   Sometimes we have to wait for the Lord's schedule and not pursue our own desires.   Waiting is rarely easy or pleasant, but when we have to wait then we should accept the situation as it is.   

        Let God have His way and He will give you what you need to deal with your impatience.  There is possibly a good reason for your having to wait.   Slow down and look around you.   When you move impatiently through life you will miss out on the details that make life more interesting and valuable.

        See the good in everything.  Even when you have to wait longer than you had hoped.

 Rejoice in hope, be patient in
tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

English Standard Version (ESV)

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Let Your Worries Go

Thanks god, my dearest and all dear friends! ...
(Photo credit: Thai Jasmine (Smile..smile...Smile..))

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:11

New International Version (NIV)

       One thing I know is that if I left things to my mind's devices I could be in a constant state of worries.  I'd fret myself sick over little things that don't really mean all that much.   My life, my comfort, and my happiness would be obliterated by the big worries that actually can have consequence to me, my loved ones, and the world around me.   There is more than enough for me to worry about and little that I can do about much of it.

         A little bit of faith can go a long way.   God doesn't mean for us to worry ourselves sick or let our concerns about what could happen stop us from appreciating the good things that are happening every day.  We are in this world for a short time.   Let's praise God for what we have,  pray to God for what we need, and love God for the good things that are yet to come.

         We can easily worry ourselves into bad health.   What's the point of doing that?  It's all good--even when it's bad.   Ugly times are eventually followed by beauty.  The world keeps on turning as generations pass in the parade of time.   Trust in God.   He knows what He's doing.

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Romans 12:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

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