Good Things Come to Those Who Wait – 4 things to do while waiting
Good things come to those who wait
Good things come to those who wait! I’m sure you’ve heard this saying before, however, waiting is not something most of us enjoy. We want what we want and we want it now. It reminds me of a story I heard about a mother who was preparing pancakes for her two sons, Billy who was five and Bobby, three. The boys began arguing about who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw an opportunity to teach them a lesson so she said; “Now boys, if Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.'” Billy turned to his younger brother and said, “Bobby, you be Jesus.” Billy didn’t want to wait, he wanted that first pancake. It’s a funny story, but it is true, none of us like waiting!
Waiting Means Patience
While we may not like waiting it is true and it’s Biblical – “good things come to those who wait”. Lamentations 3:25 in the Amplified says, “The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him.” Waiting is an issue of patience. We need to be reminded that patience is a virtue. Patience does a needed work in us. Patience develops our faith. Patience produces peace in life. Patience pleases God.
Good things come to those who wait – You will Lack Nothing
James 1:4 tells us to, “let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” When you wait and let patience complete it’s job you will LACK NOTHING! Good things come to those who wait. The question is not how long do you have to wait, the question is how should you wait? What do you do while waiting?
How to Wait Patiently – 4 Things YOU can do
Waiting doesn’t mean sitting around doing nothing just waiting for God to do something. God is always at work. He has seen ahead and made provision for whatever your need is. He is Jehovah Jireh! God is waiting on you (to mature, to get in the right place, to obey, to repent, etc) or for His perfect timing. Remember, “the vision is for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” (Hab. 2:3) In your season of waiting however long that is, there are 4 important things you can do so patience can have it’s perfect work:
1. Serve the Lord. This is huge. Realize the word “wait” in this context means to serve. Like wait on tables. To attend to. We serve the Lord by attending to His kingdom and His will for our life. That means being salt and light to our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family members, obediently following the leading of the Holy Spirit for our life, and loving God with all our heart. It is about motive and attitude. Psalms 100:2 says to “serve the Lord with gladness” Colossians tells us, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” While waiting patiently continue to serve the Lord.
2. Be Thankful. If you find yourself waiting longer than you planned, or you are becoming more impatient, take a moment to thank the Lord! Thank Him for His goodness, grace and mercy in your life, Thank Him in advance for the answer you’re waiting for or that the situation you’re in is turning around, thank Him for working behind the scenes on your behalf and for His favor. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thes. 5:18) While waiting patiently be thankful in everything.
3. Trust God – is working everything together for good. (Romans 8:28) God knows the beginning from the end. He wants the best for you. He withholds no good thing from you. (Psalms 84:11) Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Trust Him and He will direct your path in the direction and at the pace you need to go. (Proverbs 3:5) While waiting patiently trust God.
4. Remember there is a purpose in the process. This is particularly meaningful for me. Whenever my patience is being tested I ask the Lord, “What are you trying to teach me or show me? What do I need to learn through this? We need to “let patience complete it’s perfect work in us”. God is a God of process. “First the blade, then the ear, then the full kernel in the ear.” (Mt. 4:28) When a chicken hatches from its egg he has to peck his way out of the egg. If someone tries to help him by cracking the egg open the chicken will not survive. It needs to go through the process to be strong enough to survive outside the egg. We need to go through the process to be strong enough and ready for what God has for us. While waiting patiently, remember there is a purpose in the process.
Wait for His Perfect Timing
It is easy to become discouraged when things don’t happen as quick as we want them, but often those seasons of waiting are times of preparation where we grow and are strengthened so we can achieve God’s best for our life. If you’ve been waiting a long time for something, be encouraged and wait patiently for His perfect timing. Good things come to those who wait!
