Instant Gratification
We live in a world of UberEats, Amazon Prime, and fast food. Everything we could ever want is at our fingertips! It’s no wonder we’re called the “Impatient Nation”... we thrive off instant gratification.
Are you guilty of running out of patience for the impatient person in your life? Truly, we all struggle with patience in one form or another. But let’s stop for a moment and take a deep breath…
Impatience produces irritability, but patience produces character.
Romans 5:3-5 says:
“…We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling short-changed. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
- Romans 5:3-5 (The Message)
God doesn’t want us having patience for patience’s sake. He is actually developing us in the midst of our patience.
When you think of biblical examples of patience, the story of Joseph may come to mind. He endured betrayal and hardship as he patiently waited for the manifestation of his dreams to come true! When you think about an example of impatience, you might think of Abraham and Sarah being told that they would conceive a son at their old age. Upon waiting, they decided to take matters into their own hands by having Hagar have Abraham’s child. Patience is something we’re all challenged with. I read an article that said 96% of Americans are so impatient that they knowingly consume hot food and beverages that burn their mouths! We need prayer y’all!
So, today, find an opportunity to exercise patience with someone. Maybe it’s your co-worker, your children, or your spouse. Give them what God gives us daily; an immeasurable amount of love and patience.
Som Tami