Be Patient

"Even miracles take time." -From Cinderella

Many times in life when we expect things to go a certain way--according to our planned timing--and when they don't, we become disappointed. Sometimes we fail to realize that certain things take time, and if we have the expecation of things working out at an unrealistically fast pace, it can lead to disappointment if we don't have the right attitude of patience. One of the greatest virtues when it comes to dealing with situations that seem to be dragging out too long, is patience. Patience is crucial because there are inevitable times in life when plans get delayed or hopes become temporarily deffered.

There may be areas of your life right now where you are waiting--waiting to get called back from a job, waiting for God to provide you with an answer to a prayer, waiting to be delivered from a certain situation you don't have control over, but must instead practice patience with. Waiting can be difficult, but I've found that immersing yourself in positive activities as well as God's word, can help the wait seem less like a wait and more like an enjoyable time.
I love what it says in Psalm 37:34 (TLB): "Don't be impatient for the Lord will act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season He will honor you with every blessing."

His Timing is Perfect

"He has made everything in it's perfect timing."Ecclesiastes 3:11

Sometimes we want to rush things in our lives or we become anxious or impatient and feel as if things aren't moving fast enough, or that we aren't where we should be. Let me tell you something, God has you EXACTLY where He wants you to be. If you are feeling discouraged because your life is not how you would like it, take heart knowing that God has you where you are for a reason. Maybe you're in a job you don't like or you feel overqualified for, maybe you can't stand your coworkers or bosses. Maybe you feel like you're in a relationship rut, or stuck in a circumstance that has just seemed to be dragging out for too long. Instead of complaining about how these circumstances could be better, I urge you to start asking what it is that God wants you to learn from this circumstance. You can tell him, "God, I don't know why you have me here, and even though it is uncomfortable, help me to learn what it is that you want me to learn from this situation. Open my eyes to see the work you want me to do here." Ask Him to help you see what you need to learn, and if there is someone He wants you to minister to. Maybe He has you at your job so that you can be an encouragement to someone in desperate need of it. Whatever situation you are in, there is a reason and a purpose. Start asking God for the reason of why He has you where He has you and what you can learn from it, and I guarantee you will begin to see doors open, results happen, and changes for the better begin to occur in your life.

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete” James 1:2-4

"Fail Foward"

Sometimes, in life we are not always were we want to be. Things may seem to be taking longer than they should be, dreams may appear to be delayed or even failed, and everything just seems to be moving too slowly. You might feel "stuck" in a certain situation, or even like you've failed at accomplishing certain tasks. Well, I'm here to tell you that despite what it may seem like on an external plane, that God has you exactly where He wants you. Despite what may appear to be delays in accomplishing your goals are really just character-building steps that are leading you closer and closer to accomplishing your dreams. So don't get frustrated, discouraged, or distraught when things don't seem to be going your way or as you had planned. Instead, thank God things are not going your way! Because His way and His plans for your life are so much greater than anything you could have planned or done on your own! Just keep being patient, keep perservering, and don't give up! You may be right around the corner from a breakthrough. But, until then, "keep your eyes on the prize." Work with the end goal in mind; imagine the feeling of accomplishing that goal. If things don't seem to be going right, if you feel like a failure, then get excited! Why? Because God loves using people who may consider themselves inadequate or unsuccessful and using them to show His adequacy, His success, His power, and strength to do something so completely beyond what they considered possible.


When you feel like a failure, remind yourself of all the other people before you that "failed foward." Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When asked about it, Edison said, "I have not failed 1,000 times. I have successfully discovered 1,000 ways to NOT make a light bulb." He didn't see his failed attempts as ultimate sentences of failure. Instead, he saw his unsuccessful attempts all as stepping stones bringing him closer and closer to his end goal: The light bulb. Because Edison did not give up after the 10th, 50th, even 500th attempt, we now have light accessible to us whenever we need it. Think about the impact your goals could possibly have on society, or the world, if you don't give up and keep pursuing your God-given dreams. There is no limit to what you can do when God is on your side. "Failure" is not final. Failure is only failure when you give up, everything else just means you are one step closer to accomplishing your dreams.


"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (Habakkuk 2:3 TLB).