Monday, December 2, 2013

Looking Up with Patience and Prayer

In the blog It’s Not Too Late to Look Up we looked at one of the choices we can make to look up with hope despite how dire our circumstances may be. Allow God’s love to be your life preserver.
Let Patience be your Priority.
We want our problems solved now or at least really soon. Here’s the problem and here is the quick solution, but God sees thing differently.

Our problems are what God uses to bring hope {
Tweet this}. We trust in things that aren’t going to last. God may test us to grow us, but not to grade us. Growth and hope aren’t guaranteed results from problems. It takes patience. Romans 5:3-5

And so after waiting patiently
, Abraham received what was promised… We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:15, 19

Yes, being patient with our problems is easy to talk about, but hard to do. No matter how big or small our problems are they will not usually be solved overnight. We live with them every day and some of them can wear us down whether we think they should or not.

One of the ways God helps us to face our problems with patience is not facing them alone. {Tweet this}. Let wise trustworthy friends help you.  By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.   Galatians 6:2

Make prayer be your pressure release.
It’s helpful to talk to others, but we need to talk to God.  O LORD, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from an honest heart. Psalm 17:11

The psalmist is not phony and pietistic, but honest with himself and God. Be honest and you’ll get an honest answer, but you might not get what you’re asking for. Thank God He doesn’t give us what we deserve, but what we really need, grace.

God is never too busy to hear your complaint, He is always listening to you {Tweet this}.  Hurry with your answer, God I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! Psalm 143:7 Everyday carve out some time at home or in your car and talk to God.

Join us next time as we discover that it's not too late to experience that God's promises can be your plan.

Looking Up,

Mark