God Is Never in a Hurry

In James 1:4 I read, “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it (troubles that test your faith, letting your endurance grow), do its work so you become mature and well-developed." (The Message)

I need to be patient with myself and with God.

God’s timetable is rarely the same as mine. I’m often in a hurry, but God isn’t. It can be frustrating when it feels like the progress I’m making is slow.

But remember this: God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time. He will use my entire lifetime to prepare me for my role in eternity.

The Bible is filled with examples of how God uses a long process to develop character, especially in leaders. He took 80 years to prepare Moses, including 40 in the wilderness. For those 14,600 wilderness days, Moses kept waiting and wondering, “Is it time?” But God kept saying, “Not yet.”

Great souls are grown through struggles, storms, and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process. James advised, “Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed” (James 1:4 The Message).

Don’t get discouraged. When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn’t think God was acting quickly enough, God said: “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).

Remember how far I’ve come, not just how far I have to go. I’m not where I want to be, but neither am I where I used to be.

Years ago people wore a popular button with the letters PBPGINFWMY. It stood for “Please be patient. God is not finished with me yet.”

God isn’t finished with me. I need to be patient with him and with myself. And keep on moving forward. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!

In summary, I should not try to get out of anything prematurely. Let the troubles that test my faith and my endurance grow, and do its work, so that I become mature and well-developed. To do this I need to be patient with myself and with God. What I’m learning is that God’s timetable is rarely the same as mine. I’m often in a hurry, but God is not. God’s timetable is always on time. He will use my entire lifetime to prepare me for my role he has for me in eternity. There are many stories and examples in the Bible where I see that great souls are grown through the struggles, storms, and seasons of suffering. So I need to learn to be patient with the process and not become discouraged. I need to bring to mind how far I’ve come, not just how far I have to go. I may not be where I want to be, but neither am I where I used to be. So God isn’t finished with me yet. I need to be patient with him and with myself. And keep on moving forward. 

In addition, I can't really know the depth of my character until I see how I react under pressure. It is easy to be kind when everything is going well, but can I still be kind when others are treating me unfairly?  God wants to make me mature and complete, not to keep me from pain. Instead of complaining about my struggles, I should see them as opportunities for growth.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Thank you God for promising to be with me in rough times. I need your help in solving problems in my life or the strength to endure them. Allow me to be patient, for I know you won't leave me alone in my problems; you stay close to me and help me grow.

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I pray all these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.