First and Greatest

Hearing God's Voice

Charismatic Gifts

Present of Prophecy

Interview

Humanism / Radicalism

Heaven

1. The Mark of God's People. Typically in Jesus' parables (e.g., Mat 25:1, 25:14) the Bridegroom 'takes a long time coming' or the Master 'didn't return for a long time', etc.  A key theme: God's people are a waiting people. Christianity is more about waiting for God than manipulating circumstances.
2. Active Patience. Waiting isn't necessarily being passive, for one can be actively patient (like being an active listener). Patience means detachment from the timing, while using the interim wisely.
3. Ready for Game Time. Frequently God's servants are required to experience a lengthy prep time. Consider Joseph, Jacob, Moses, Jesus, Paul, etc. Often long waits. When game time arrives it's too late to return to training camp. (That's when you find out how well training camp went!)
4. God's Strength Over Ours. Waiting forces us to rely on God's strength over ours, which is one reason why fasting is so important. It is not about self-denial as much as it is making room for God to act. See Fast Power.
5. Charismatic Power. In my experience, one of the main reasons why those gifted with receiving visions don't experience more of them is that they don't wait long enough during the worship—they want instant love. This is common and experientially verifiable. Trust me on this. See Visions.
6. Keep in Step. Since technology has made life faster we tend to learn impatience easily. However:  a.) some things will always take a lifetime, e.g., marriage;  b.) even if some things do get quicker, there's always room for more impatience!  c.) Happiness usually consists not in getting it quicker, but on-time. Too often I'm like a dog on a walk pulling so tightly on the leash that I choke myself. The message: stay in step and enjoy the journey.
7. A Wall of Peace. The one who can sacrifice the short-term for a greater long term benefit is insulated against temptations of immediacy. If the devil can't directly tempt to sin, he'll seduce with "I must have it now" because addicts can't think straight. Yet often the urgent is the enemy of the important.
8. The Solution to Suffering. Ultimately the answer to the greatest intellectual challenge to the faith, "why is there suffering", is the word "wait."  (In fact, the word "patience" is comes from a word meaning "to suffer"). But hang on:  the day is coming when the curtain will rise and Author will step out and reveal how "all things for the good of those who love him." (Rom 8:28)
9. It's About the Love. When the apostle Paul defines the essence of Love in the famous passage I Cor 13, it is no accident he begins "Love is patient."  God is a lover and He first wants love in return, but who wants love on a schedule? "Do not waken love until it so desires." (Songs 2:7).  Let God surprise you.

Style by God

Is patience doing a perfect work in you (James 1:4)?  The fruit of Godly patience allows you to stand in the days of trials and still rejoice in who I am, not wavering with fears, doubt, or dissatisfaction.  You are My creation and I have styled you to be a beacon of light, joy, and hope, a reflection of the Savior.

Are there places in your walk that are lacking for want of the next desired goal?  My perfect timing is what makes goals into blessings.  And the time in between all of it coming to pass requires patience, steadfastness, and a perseverance to know Me more deeply.

When your yearning brings you pain and despair, consider you may have lost the sound of My voice drawing and encouraging you and instead, have begun feeding on the thoughts of the enemy who seeks your downfall.  My Word tells you there is a season and a time for every purpose (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  How long will you bear up under your circumstances?  As long as you walk by sight and not in faith, you are likely to know despair.

Ask yourself why is it you can't be patient with Me?  Have you a better plan that more readily meets your desire?  Beware the leanness of soul that awaits those who seek quail in the dessert (Numbers 11).  Impatience only leads to murmuring and complaining—ultimately, dissatisfaction and doubt toward your Lord.

Abide in the vine and let me take up your yolk.  Know that I will find a way for you, a way you would never know outside of your surrendering to Me.  Do not weary yourself in self-controlled endeavors that are not of Me.

Seek My face and I will lead you.  And if you must wait awhile, stand strong and 'lean not on your own understanding' (Proverbs 3:5).

Let Godly patience be the measuring stick of your trust in Me, the one who delivers you and lifts you up.