My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long? – Psalm 6:3

If you’re like most people over forty, you grew up dialing a rotary phone, simmering dinner for hours in a crockpot, and sending letters by snail mail. Compare those to a voice-dialing a cell phone, microwaving meals-in-a-minute, and text messaging. (For a quick laugh, watch this video of parents challenging their teens to dial a number on a cell phone). The speed at which we’re expected to communicate, cook, and move throughout our days has dramatically increased. That’s a good thing right?

Fifteen years ago when I’d drive the winding mountain road up to my home in Colorado, I was usually alone. I’d occasionally see a few locals, but only rarely pass few curious tourists. Today, I’ve stopped counting the number of cars sporting the telltale red “rental car” license plates, leisurely weaving their way up what some of the travel guides have taken to calling one of the “Best Drives in Boulder.”

The guides urge them to “drive slowly,” so frequently, I find myself stuck in a 15 mph caravan of vehicles; windows rolled down with arms, heads, and GoPros sticking out the windows. Sometimes, one will stop in the middle of the road, open the door, and take a picture of a deer grazing on the roadside a few yards away. (The deer usually looks up at them lazily with an expression that appears to ask “Whadda doinn’???”) My reaction is, of course, to pray blessings over their car and turn up my praise music to lift the atmosphere… Wrong! In those seemingly endless moments, when my wheels aren’t turning, I feel like channeling my husband and screaming “Not everyone is on vacation buddy! Some of us have places to go, people to see, and work to get done! Move, move, move!”

Why are we in such a hurry all the time? What happened to, “Stop and smell the roses”?

How often do you feel rushed to get out the door and race against the clock to arrive somewhere on time? I recently heard of a sign on the freeway in Los Angles that reads, “You’re not stuck in traffic. YOU are the traffic! Isn’t that so true? We’re quick to want everyone else to get out of our way so we can proceed with speed. But the truth is… we’re a part of the problem too.

When our hearts are filled with impatience, we add negativity to the congestion.

Every day, our patience competes with our cravings for immediate satisfaction. Since most everything else seems to be at our disposal, it’s little wonder we expect God to answer our prayers quickly or give us the next step NOW.

Even David, “a man after God’s own heart”, shouted “How long LORD?” (Psalm 6:3) God knew all generations would need His supernatural patience to press through their daily demands. Thankfully patience is a fruit given to us by the Holy Spirit, something we definitely need to be activated in our hearts and minds every day. So how do we get more of it?

It’s simple…just ASK.

• ASK - God promises to never leave you alone. (Hebrews 13:5) He is available 24/7. When you need greater patience, stop and ask Him.

• SEEK - God is good. His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1) Seek His love and you will find love and patience go hand in hand.

• KNOCK - When we wait upon the Lord, He will renew our strength. (Isaiah 40:31) Keep knocking, keep waiting, keep believing God will grant you greater patience.

Jesus promised, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

This week, in addition of asking Jesus for more patience, ask someone you admire how he or she deals with the frustrations of our fast paced culture. Lean in and listen to how they cope and where they place their hope. We’re stronger together as we share our strategies for following Jesus.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank you for being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

#patience