Dear Heavenly Father,
As I reflect on the phrase: “God is not in a hurry, so why are we?” I acknowledge that my patience is rather lacking. I want things, and I want them now. When my kids are slow getting out of bed or tying their shoes, it is easy to recognize that my feelings are somewhat ridiculous. However, when it comes to issues like the violence and sickness in the world, it becomes much harder to understand why patience is a virtue. Is it wrong to want world peace now? Is it wrong to want a cure for terminal illnesses?
Often, it is challenging to remember 2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV): “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
O Lord, there is a reason for your patience! You desire as many people as possible to choose you, and if Jesus were to come now and set things right, how many would not have acknowledged you as Lord of their lives? We are not puppets, and you are not a puppeteer. Instead, you created us in your image and gave us the ability to discern good and evil and determine our own course of action.
Unfortunately, our actions aren’t carried out in isolation, in a bubble, but have far-reaching effects. When we sin, it doesn’t only affect ourselves. If one of us cheats on our spouse, it doesn’t just impact the spouse. The children might need therapy after the divorce. The grandparents may have to step in and allow their adult child and grandchildren to stay with them, help with child care, or even lend some finances until the situation is resolved. Friends may have to choose sides and decide whom to invite to the next New Year’s Eve party or 4th of July barbecue. Many who know the unhappy couple might decide that marriage is a horrible idea, even though it is one of the most beautiful things that God has given us.
While marriage problems are challenging, wars are even worse. There is death, destruction, violence, rape, and more. Children are left orphans, adults are left crippled, parents are left childless. Bitterness and anger are set free. Racism may persist for generations as a result. Currently, we can look at Israel and Palestine or Russia and Ukraine and quickly see that forgiveness is hard to come by and that it may take more than a lifetime for people to heal from the consequences.
Terrible things have been happening in our world since Cain killed Abel in Genesis 4. What would our world look like if Adam and Eve never ate the forbidden fruit? Would Cain have grown up respecting God’s laws, or did that one act of disobedience start a chain reaction of rebellion against God? Who harbored bitterness over Abel’s murder and Cain’s banishment? How did Seth feel? How did Cain’s children feel? What consequences carried over from generation to generation until Noah’s time? Until our time?
Some days, I feel angry when I realize that you could have stopped this! You could have decreed that there would be no more sin, but then we would have been your puppets and not made in your image. So, where do we go from here? How do we obtain your type of patience and forgiveness? How do we reconcile all the terrible things in the world with your great love?
It is so challenging to understand that it is because of your great love for us that you allow these terrible things to happen. Once, in grief, you decided to wipe out almost every living human. In Genesis 6-9, only Noah and his family were permitted to survive, but then you promised us that, no matter how badly we behave, you would never again destroy us by flood. The rainbow is your beautiful symbol of this covenant, but it is also a symbol that you are allowing sin to continue.
While my temptation is to pray for Jesus to come again soon, I recognize that your way is better. Please give me compassion for all the people rebelling against you. Help me see them as your creation, made in your image. Help me see your love for them and have patience as you give each one enough time to decide if they want to continue their rebellion or come back to you.
I pray that people will not see their current suffering as judgment from you, but will instead view it as a blessing to all those who will come to know you in the future. You are a good God. You allowed Jesus to suffer on this Earth. Please help us willingly share in Jesus’ ministry, patiently endure our current suffering, and joyfully look forward to a home in heaven with you.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Read: Embracing Patience: God is Not in a Hurry, Why Are We?
Reflection Questions
Please consider the following reflection questions:
- How does recognizing your impatience connect with your desire for immediate results in different areas of your life?
- In terms of wanting things instantly versus embracing patience, how can you strike a balance between your desires and waiting for God’s timing?
- How does 2 Peter 3:8-9 challenge your understanding of waiting and the fulfillment of promises?
- Reflect on the idea that God’s patience stems from a desire for more people to choose him. How does this impact your view of divine patience amidst human suffering?
- Consider the interconnectedness of our choices and their ripple effects. How do your actions impact not only yourself but also those around you and future generations?
- Reflect on the “what-if” scenarios presented in the prayer. How does this prompt you to think about the complexities of human history and God’s plan?
- Engage with the difficulty of understanding why God allows suffering out of his great love. How do you reconcile the existence of suffering with the concept of a loving and all-powerful God?
- Explore your own temptations to pray for a quick resolution, acknowledging that God’s way is better. How does this influence your perspective on challenges and global struggles?
- Consider the prayer’s plea for compassion toward those rebelling against God. How can you cultivate empathy for individuals distant from their faith or struggling in their spiritual journey?
- Reflect on the closing thoughts about sharing in Jesus’ ministry, enduring suffering patiently, and anticipating a home in heaven. How does this bring hope and purpose to your faith journey?
Respond
Please pray a prayer for patience in difficult circumstances. If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
Consider sharing your insights and experiences in the comments below!
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this post and wish to receive more Christian content, feel free to subscribe to my newsletters!
Related Resources
Visit the Joyful Moments in Christ homepage for all posts, or scroll through other blog posts related to patience, suffering, and endurance:
English Standard Version (ESV): Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
Joyful Moments in Christ 