This has been a great day... a great weekend. I've had a good life, in fact. It hasn't always been easy, but who's is?
I have a hard time being sympathetic to those who write about nothing but the terrible state their life is in. So much of life comes down to how we view ourselves and the things around us. God has been teaching me to be grateful for every situation I'm in. I'm learning that there is a purpose for each and every moment we live. In the not so distant past, I've been in some very unhappy situations. At the time, I could see no good in them, and wanted nothing but to get out of them. But God told me to be patient. Patience is my word of the year. I am learning patience in little things- like waiting on people who are always late, and dealing with two year olds in my Sunday School class- to patience in big things- like waiting for God to reveal His will for the next step in my life, or in my relationship with my boyfriend.
So many problems in this world could be solved if people practiced more patience. We could be patient on the highways. Why is it neccessary to speed all the time? Why are we in such a hurry for everything? Would it kill us to run five minutes late, or get up five minutes earlier? What about patience and trusting our government? So many people believe that the government isn't doing their job because we haven't captured Osama yet. Do they think our soldiers aren't busting their butts trying to do just that? And what about everyone else we have stopped? Doesn't that count for something?
What about patience in communicating with eachother? Why are we so quick to jump to conclusions? So fast to become angry? We should invest time into listening to one another. It's been said before, but I'll say it again, God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason!
I find that with patience comes hope and optimism. I have the optimism that through all of life's trials, whether they are personal or effect the whole world, God's glory will be revealed. We can always see the beauty and the awesomeness of God. We have the hope that he his faithful and just. And I don't mean "hope" as in wishful thinking. I mean the hope that Christ brought... the blessed assurance, the promises God makes and keeps.
Does it hurt people to be patient? To have hope? To be optimistic? To trust eachother? To trust God?
When I put my faith in Christ, that didn't mean that I just believed in Him. That means that I put my life in His hands. I have given my life to God. There are times when I still try to take control of my own destiny. But it isn't long before God is banging around in my heart saying "Child, you are mine. Let me handle this."
He teached me daily to be patient in Him, and in others. He reveals things in His time.
Smile, take a deep breath, and let Him take control.