The Patience Test

Romans 12:12; “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (KJV).

Have you ever prayed a prayer and waited on God to answer you, but it seems as if God has forgotten about you. You wonder if God was hearing your prayers. You begin to question your prayer life because you have not received an answer from God.  “Did I pray the right prayer?” “Did I say the right things?” “Was my prayer long enough?” We all have been there a time or two, but this is where the test begins.

I call this The Assessment of Patience & Faith. Having patience and waiting on God can be difficult.  For example, have you ever prayed for a release from a place of employment because you were no longer happy with the environment? However, God did not release you from that place of employment  when you asked. Have you ever prayed for a divine healing of your body, but you are still dealing with the illness?  If you are reading this devotion, you understand what I am talking about. We all have prayed different prayers for different situations that have taken place in our life.

In the scripture, Paul tells us to be joyful in hope, patient during our tribulation, and steadfast in our prayer.  God hears every prayer we pray. However, just because he does not answer us right then does not mean he does not love us. We have to remember we are not on our time, but God’s time.

I personally know that patience is a hard pill to digest. I have prayed many prayers and God did not answer me instantaneously. However, when He did answer me, it was perfect timing for God to show His glory.  Joy, patience, and faith are all characteristics of God that we should operate in. Trials and tribulations are easier to endure and easier to withstand when we operate in joy, patience, and faith.

Heavenly Father,

Please help me in the area of patience. Lord, I must remember that I must operate in your time and not my time. God, I thank you for who you are.

In Jesus name,

Amen!
Copyrighted 2015 by Edwina D. Perrin. All rights reserved.