How To Be Patient When Things Are Out of Your Control
There are so many opportunities to be patient, aren’t there? From the first moment in your day, patience will be summoned to help you be kind to others and even yourself. Unfortunately, your day doesn’t always wait for you to have that coffee and Jesus time first. However, I want to talk about four specific times when patience is most important to have.
Top 4 Times When Patience is Needed
Patient with God’s Timetable.
Have you ever heard it said that God is rarely early but never late? It is so true! Why is that? Why can't God answer our prayers right when (we think) we need them? The reason is this – He wants to see your faith and trust in Him. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
God wants your reliance on HIM. The quicker we learn that we can do nothing of any good without Him, the better off we will be. The kingdom of Heaven works by faith. And what does faith take? You guessed it, PATIENCE. Hebrews 12:1 says, "…let us run with endurance." Hebrews 6:12 says, "that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
There is an account in the Bible when Saul was given a specific timetable to wait for Samuel to return after giving sacrifices before they would go into battle. However, while he was gone, the pressure of the imminent war with the Philistines got the best of Saul, and he decided to offer peace offerings himself. That impatience showed a lack of trust in God and cost him greatly. Samual said to him in 1 Samual 13:13-14, "And Samuel said to Saul, 'You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart..'"
We can learn from Saul that even when the pressure is on, keep your eyes on Jesus and your switch of faith turned on. Refuse to fear and let doubt crowd your heart and mind. But keep believing Him and His Word – no matter what.
2. Patient in Trials
You are probably familiar with the following verses from James 1:2-4 that says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
The first words of the scripture say, "my brethren." This means that he is talking to fellow believers. Yes, believers will have trials – it is a part of this life that we live. We will be dealing with trials until we see Jesus face-to-face in glory. But we are taught to handle those trials differently than the world deals with them. We are to face them with joy! Why? Because you are about to see God at work in your life! Your breakthrough is coming; you just have to have faith and patience. Trust God, and He will see you through it!
I could share story after story about how God was with me and helped me through various trials in my life. He might not have come through the way I thought He should have, but He came through just the same. Believe that He will do the same for you!
3. Patient With Another's Weaknesses
This one is a little "ouchy" for me. I'm pretty good at putting my trust in God and His timing, but I don't always have patience with other people.
What does God give us for our weakness? Grace! He helps us by equipping us with what we need and gives us favor when we don't deserve it. Aren't you so thankful for God's grace for you? Of course, you are. Then why is it so hard to give grace to someone else?
If we are honest (at least if I am being honest), I am being selfish when I don't seem to have patience with others. Either my plans have been interrupted, or now I have to pick up the slack that I don't feel like I have time for.
I was often one of those moms who would get upset that the kids didn't pick up but then end up doing it for them because they weren't doing it "right." The times I was patient went much better as I took time to teach them the correct way. It's all about grace!
4. Patient With Those You are Discipling
This one kind of goes along with number three. However, this is when you are trying to help someone and teach them the best course of action, yet they don't do it. Nothing is more frustrating as a pastor than showing people how to experience victory in their lives, yet they refuse to take the steps needed to see that victory.
I face the same obstacle in teaching. I have taught private music lessons for over 25 years, and nothing is more frustrating than seeing the potential in a student, yet they don't see it in themselves and, therefore, won't practice to achieve what they could. In fact, if they don't practice, they will inevitably quit lessons because they aren't seeing any growth.
So what is the solution when you are trying to help others? The Lord showed my husband and me years ago that we were only responsible for what He told us to do. We can't control others and are not held accountable for what they did with the teaching and discipline they received. It's hard when you want others to have the same success you have experienced, yet they won't do the work that is needed to achieve it.
Have patience with the rate of growth your "student" has chosen. Remember that it's not about you; it's about them. Have compassion and be led by peace, and patience will quickly follow.
