Wait and Seek

Patience. Sometimes, I feel like I have absolutely none. So often, I get angry and frustrated because:

* The elderly woman at the grocery store has lost her credit card, so I have to wait three more minutes in line.
* My three year old doesn't do EXACTLY what I asked the FIRST time I asked it.
* My husband did not bring home milk even after an e-mail, phone call, and note left on his dashboard.
* God has not answered the prayer that I was sure was in line with His will.

All of these situations allow me the opportunity to choose my reaction. The first reaction is one of patience and understanding. The other is the reaction that is all too familiar, one of anger and frustration.

Webster's Dictionary defines being patient as "bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint."

How often can we say that we do that? How often do we endure pains or trials without complaining?

One of my favorite scriptures is Lamentations 3:25. "The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him."

Did you catch the wonderfully good part? It seems as though we would all long for the Lord to be wonderfully good to us. So why in the world is it so difficult for us to wait and seek Him?

Because we live in a right here and right now kind of society. We don't have to wait for much and when we do have to wait, we are not happy about it. Think about it...

1) What if you wait and seek Him before you complain about that elderly lady in line and instead reassure her that you are in no hurry?
2) What if you wait and seek Him before disciplining your children in anger and instead discipline them in love?
3) What if you wait and seek Him before getting frustrated with your husband and instead thank him for the groceries that he did remember?
4) What if you wait and seek Him before becoming angry at Him for not answering your prayers right away and instead give Him the opportunity to work out His good and perfect will for your life?

Wait and seek...Really, it's not that complicated. Patience is simply a matter of waiting and seeking God. Seeking God's heart in a situation can make a huge difference in our reaction. It can turn an otherwise frustrating moment into a moment of learning and obedience.

Think about some situations in which you seem to be the most impatient. Is it with strangers? Your spouse? Your children? Ask God to give you patience and a heart that is willing to wait and seek Him in all situations.

Something to Think About:
1. What are some situations in which you have a difficult time being patient?
2. What trials and pains have you complained about lately?
3. Is there something that has happened recently that could have had a different outcome if you would have chosen to wait and seek?

Words of Worth:
"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

"When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience." Galatians 5:22

"The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him." Lamentations 3:25