Patience, But for How Long?!
By Chris Mizrany
My dad has a little saying he throws out in taxing times, which always makes us laugh in spite of ourselves. He’ll say, “Sure, I can have patience, but for how long!?” As I chuckle and shake my head at him, deep inside I know that I often feel exactly like that. I’m no saintly example of constant quiet trust, peaceful anticipation, or even simple waiting.
When troubles arise, I struggle with the faith mantra of “Cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”1 I know in my heart this is true, but I much prefer to be doing something, anything to make me feel useful. I crave that mental burn of overstuffed days and late nights, because it is the mark of achieving goals. Or is it? My family and friends often bear the brunt of my self-imposed pushes, complete with unnecessary “solution finding” and free unrequested advice.
The truth, painful as it can be, is that sometimes waiting is what I’m meant to do. We all know that many Bible characters had to wait, and wait, and wait for their plans, dreams, or destiny to be realized. Noah, Moses, David, Daniel, and Jesus all had long periods of waiting before their complete purpose was achieved. And I think there’s even more to it than that. Sometimes being patient is not just waiting a length of time without complaint till our “stars align”—sometimes it means holding on when things actually get worse in spite of our best efforts. Maybe patience is honestly accepting that we don’t know best, and being willing to slog on one difficult day at a time, for as long as it takes, until God reveals the complete picture.
John Calvin, an important figure of the Protestant Reformation, wisely said, “There is no place for faith if we expect God to fulfill immediately what He promises.” God absolutely does miracles, and His power manifests visibly and even immediately the world over in many situations. Yet most of His work is done through the quiet steadfastness of faithful disciples, living life by His guidance and believing in His promises, yet ultimately knowing that it is not their spiritual awareness, knowledge, or power, but Christ who brings the results in His time. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.”2
Patience is not inactivity. Patience is doing what we can do, but not in our own wisdom, strength, and flustered schedule. Patience is knowing whom we believe, and being utterly confident that if we obey, follow, and entrust our lives to Him, He will keep us and our destiny safe against any odds and through the darkest days. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.”3
Jesus Himself suffered trials of patience. His was not a sheltered life, but one filled with adversity and hardship, even rejection. Yet His love never failed, and He did not grow weary in doing good. He had the promise that it would be worth it all, and so do we.
We strive to let our light shine in this darkened world, manifesting peace and patience when all around us is stress and confusion. So, on those days when I feel like shouting to the sky, “How much longer, Lord?!” I will look to His example and to the many others who followed it. And I will remember that it’s not my own worked-up patience anyway. The Bible states that love is patient,4 and God is love.5 So it’s all through Him, and by His grace I can hold on a little longer, manifesting His love, grace, and patience to those around me.
“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”—2 Thessalonians 3:56
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