Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
For those of you that know me well, you know that my patience level isn't very high. I admit, this is something I need to work on. And in so many ways and areas of my life: relationships, school, personal goals, love, and God's will.
*I can't stand not knowing what the future holds
*I HATE waiting to hear from someone, especially when I'm expecting to hear from them (I get antsy and anxious)
*I get annoyed, due to lack of patience, with people--especially when I expect more out of them for whatever reason
*I HATE waiting to know things, get results or information
Mostly, I HATE waiting on something I REALLY, REALLY want.
I've come to learn that first of all it isn't all about me. I've also come to realize that if I had a little bit more patience, both with myself and with others, I might not stay stressed 98% of the time.
One of the biggest things I've learned is that God's will, God's plan, and God's timing is PERFECT. It is me who is imperfect, impatient, and I am the one who falls short when it lose sight of God's purpose in my life; when I try to take control instead of letting my God, who loves me, take reign of my life.
This is something I struggle with DAILY. I want and desire to walk in the light of Christ, living by His word, doing His will, allowing Him to guide me on a daily basis. It is such a difficult thing to do, because of my selfish tendencies and because of the influences in the world I live in.
Funny, as I sit here writing this I received a text from the General Board of Discipleship that read:
What are "the desires of your heart"? What are God's desires for you? How do they intersect?I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. Sometimes I have a hard time distinguishing what my will is versus what God's perfect will is. Especially when it's something I want really, really badly. Because I desire it so much that I begin to try and fit God's will into MY plan/want--whether or not his will really includes it. But seriously, how do we know it's truly in God's will? For me, I am constantly reminded of it, whatever it is. It is usually something that weighs on my heart in a positive way. And I usually get this feeling that it's just right--nothing else makes since or seems to fit. While there are other ways I know when I am in God's will, those are just a few. The problem isn't necessarily knowing what is right or wrong, it's putting away my selfish desires long enough to listen to God's voice and follow Him daily (sometimes we don't always figure out the plan all at once, sometimes it comes bit by bit).
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)