Just Be 30-Day Challenge
Just BE Patient – Day 26
Webster says ‘Patient’ means bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain, etc., with fortitude and calm and without complaint, anger or the like; quietly and steadily persevering or diligent, especially in detail or exactness; willing to endure
Synonyms: calm, tolerant, gentle, quiet, accommodating, understanding, forgiving, long-suffering, forbearing, enduring
GOD says in 2 Corinthians 11:1, ‘Now, please bear with some of my “craziness” for a moment. Yes, please be patient with me (TPT).’ And in 1 Corinthians 13:4, GOD says, ‘Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance (TPT).’
Have you ever believed God for something so intently, prayed so diligently, hoped so fiercely…but, nothing? You shook your head eventually, the confidence gradually eking out of you until all the promise and prospect had seeped away. What was that all about? I really thought…God, I thought you would; I just knew you were going to…
I had this epiphany the other day. I really believe it was a revelation the Lord intended to show me, hoping I would get. I saw in my mind this girl who had been loved and so prayed for; so much hope and belief had gone into this girl. But the girl kept on her own path, devising her own ways and developing her own chaos. Where she seemed to trek, the way was bleak. Sometimes disaster materialized, and if she didn’t find turmoil, it found her. The girl was lost, and every once in a while, she would seek to be found, but often returned to her wandering way because it was what she knew.
I saw in my heart the battle inside of this girl, as well as the hopes others held within themselves for her future. I peeked in at the ups and downs and found myself hoping for her too, rooting her on. But gradually, one by one, I saw those who hoped to believe in her eventually give up; their prayers like dying embers, fade and go out.
Suddenly, this girl reappeared in my inspiration. Everything about her had changed. Her countenance radiated peace and joy and she was embodied with this glow as if it clothed her, enveloped her. Jesus had transformed her and I was reminded that when we come to Jesus for real we become – we become new creatures; our old rags have been stripped away and we are suddenly clothed in a garment of His grace. There was an etherealness that engulfed her and my heart felt genuine happiness for her.
I then searched in my trance for those who had believed and hoped and prayed and waited, excited to see their reaction. But not one was there any longer. There was no one there to stand with her, to encourage and walk alongside her. Everyone had walked away. I was so torn with emotion. It seemed so bittersweet. I was ecstatic for her; devastated for those who would not get to witness what God was doing. And then, as if Jesus were speaking inside of me, I heard, ‘Child, never give up too soon on someone I came to rescue. My timing is not your timing; my ways are not your ways. Be patient. Be willing to endure the letdowns because they just may be the breakthrough you have been trusting me for.’
Love is forbearing and long-suffering; it is patient and tolerant. Love never gives up and it never dies. I want to love like that and stick it out even long after the light has left the room.
Day 26 Challenge: Sister, is there someone in your life who you perhaps have given up on because it didn’t go as you thought it should? If so, pray about reaching out and rekindling that hope again for her or his rescue. Today just may be the day!
