Patience

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.  Galatians 6:9

[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light.  Colossians 1:11-12

Why is it that we are afraid to pray for patience?  Growing up, the "joke" of the church was don't pray for patience, you just might get it.  No...it isn't easy to learn patience.  But what, that is worth learning, is easy?
God has three ways of answering prayer...yes, no and maybe.  And guess what?  Maybe requires waiting and is oftentimes the answer I seem to get the most often.  Does that mean I am still learning patience and this is how God is helping me learn it.  Most likely.
But notice these two verses...there is cause and effect evident here.  If I don't lose heart, if I don't grow weary and faint and keep doing that which I know is right...I will reap...in due time.  If I give up before the time is right...God's timing, not mine...I lose out.  And then, as experience has taught me, I have to relearn the lesson again...and most of the time its more uncomfortable the second or third or fourth time.  In the second verse, as I exercise endurance and patience with JOY and thankfulness, I share in His inheritance.
Our forefathers prayed for us that we might be strengthened and invigorated.  That is a pretty cool think to think about.
Life is full of times that tax us and take everything we've got and then some to make it through.  But we aren't on this journey alone.  He has a great plan for us and has already provided all we need to know to make it through.  We aren't lost...He knows exactly where we are...but we may not be ready for the next step and may need time in the "wilderness" to learn life lessons that we will need once we reach our personal Promise Land.  He never loses sight of us.  He never stops growing and shaping and molding us.  He knows exactly what He wants to accomplish in our lives and is more than capable of doing so.
My prayer for you today is that you would embrace the lessons that teach patience.  That you would look forward to the "wait" answer knowing that God is doing a big work in your life as He prepares you for the next step.  That no matter what happens, you will persevere and endure in His strength and let Him shine through your weakness.  That you would not lose heart while doing that which you know to do and waiting for the next direction.  That you wouldn't sit idle, but keep working as He opens and closes doors for you and stretches, grows and molds you.  That you would foster a spirit of thankfulness in all things, knowing full well that He has your best in mind.  This is my prayer for you!