“I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.”
(Psalm 40:1–2, ESV)
(Psalm 40:1–2, ESV)
When things are going wrong in your life, it’s difficult to keep going down a path you know is right. Even when you know a difficult path is the one God wants you on, being patient while wading through the challenges and obstacles that await you can be frustrating, painful, even onerous. You might desire to cast aside good values, give up on doing what you know is right, or take an easy way out that you know isn’t faithful to God’s will. Just remember, godly patience is honed and carefully crafted by God during difficult seasons. Remaining on God’s path to redemption, the blessings will soon arrive… if you are faithfully patient in the meantime.
Cary always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. Some say he was gifted from birth to reach out to young minds. That didn’t make it any easier when he got to college. For Cary, high school had been a breeze. It wasn’t difficult. He was intelligent. He excelled. He didn’t even have to study very much to get all A’s and B’s in his classes. But college was different. It took much more effort, was expensive, and took a toll on Cary’s easy life. Cary found he had to study at least two hours for every hour of class. Midterm and final tests his first two years of college had been brutal. He had to cram some nights just to get the good grades that some of his scholarships required.
While struggling to make his way through school, Cary also had a girlfriend who was diagnosed with cancer and parents who had recently been divorced. By the time Cary entered Junior year at college, he felt exhausted. Dealing with his girlfriend’s treatments, his parents’ friction, and the financial burden of his education caused Cary to become drained emotionally. In late October, he became sick with a virus, had a secondary infection, and just felt miserable. Because of the illness, Cary also missed classes and fell behind in his homework. Doubts and insecurities crept into his thoughts. The pressures gave him anxiety. Every now and then, Cary would go out with friends to blow off steam and end up drinking too much or staying out too late. This only added to Cary’s pressures.
In November of his Junior year at college, Cary was given an opportunity to quit school and join his father in construction work. It might be nice to have a job, with an income and less pressure. Cary also knew he could spend more time with his girlfriend, maybe even get engaged. Cary was tempted to take his father up on the offer.
Even knowing he would love to be a teacher; Cary was beginning to despise going to school. His body, mind, and finances were under constant stress. When Cary prayed, he felt God leading him toward being a teacher. As each semester finished, Cary felt a great sense of satisfaction at his achievement and an increased desire to work toward his goal of teaching. He knew being a teacher would be a blessing but working construction with his father would pay just as much or more. He could spend more time with family. Cary was torn. He wanted badly to leave school and the stress behind yet wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do.
With indecision clouding each and every day, Cary decided to visit his pastor. With his pastor’s encouragement, Cary spent more time in prayer after classes and study. He even fasted for a day. He also stopped by his old elementary school to visit his favorite teacher. After only a week, Cary had decided to stick it out at college and finish his degree instead of switching to construction work. He decided it was God’s will. Cary spent more time praying, visited his pastor a few more times for encouragement, and continued down that road toward his degree in education.
I’m glad Cary completed his education and became a teacher. He became one of my best friends and an inspiration for me. I never knew all of Cary’s difficulties in becoming a teacher, until I sought out his wisdom while going through my own tough times. His faith, his gentle wisdom, and his wonderful patience became my saving grace!
Every one of us has days like Cary, where indecision takes hold or difficulties overwhelm. You may be experiencing pain, living with regrets, or suffering from a poor decision. Recurring sin may have eroded your faith. Insecurities may be stealing your confidence. Commitment issues might be damaging valuable relationships. Whatever it is that is pulling you down is forcing you to make decisions. Sooner or later, you are going to have to decide what is most important. Values or commitments may need to change. Habits may need to be broken. Commitments may need reevaluation. Through it all, godly patience will be required. Will you stay true to God’s call or take sinful shortcuts? Will you succumb to bad influences or hold true to faithful virtues? Will you be obedient to God or not?
The scripture for today from Psalm 40 contains David’s wisdom during rough times. We don’t know what “pit of destruction” or “miry bog” had wreaked havoc on David’s life, but the toll was substantial (Psalm 40:1). In the midst of his dark days, David cried out to God. Yes, he cried. That’s what Psalm 40:1 explains. That verse also tells us that through it all, David remained faithfully patient to God’s will until God heard his cry and brought healing with wholeness (Psalm 40:2). Through patience, David’s feet left that “miry bog” and were set by God on “solid rock”.
Have you ever been on ground that is like “miry bog”? It is unstable. Each step is difficult. It is easy to twist an ankle or end up covered in mud. Spiritually, you will find yourself every now and then caught up in the “mud and mire” of sin or failure or burden. You might feel like your life is sinking in the mire of a broken marriage, lost job, sickness, or any number of trials. Instead of letting despair or depression overtake you, do what it takes to be faithfully patient throughout your time. God’s blessings will be found at the end of that road. If you remain patient in God’s will, the time will come for your redemption. David found that to be true. You will, too!
What needs your godly patience today? How is your faithful patience blessing others? Are you willing to be patient even when things get tough? Hold fast to God… always.
Cary always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. Some say he was gifted from birth to reach out to young minds. That didn’t make it any easier when he got to college. For Cary, high school had been a breeze. It wasn’t difficult. He was intelligent. He excelled. He didn’t even have to study very much to get all A’s and B’s in his classes. But college was different. It took much more effort, was expensive, and took a toll on Cary’s easy life. Cary found he had to study at least two hours for every hour of class. Midterm and final tests his first two years of college had been brutal. He had to cram some nights just to get the good grades that some of his scholarships required.
While struggling to make his way through school, Cary also had a girlfriend who was diagnosed with cancer and parents who had recently been divorced. By the time Cary entered Junior year at college, he felt exhausted. Dealing with his girlfriend’s treatments, his parents’ friction, and the financial burden of his education caused Cary to become drained emotionally. In late October, he became sick with a virus, had a secondary infection, and just felt miserable. Because of the illness, Cary also missed classes and fell behind in his homework. Doubts and insecurities crept into his thoughts. The pressures gave him anxiety. Every now and then, Cary would go out with friends to blow off steam and end up drinking too much or staying out too late. This only added to Cary’s pressures.
In November of his Junior year at college, Cary was given an opportunity to quit school and join his father in construction work. It might be nice to have a job, with an income and less pressure. Cary also knew he could spend more time with his girlfriend, maybe even get engaged. Cary was tempted to take his father up on the offer.
Even knowing he would love to be a teacher; Cary was beginning to despise going to school. His body, mind, and finances were under constant stress. When Cary prayed, he felt God leading him toward being a teacher. As each semester finished, Cary felt a great sense of satisfaction at his achievement and an increased desire to work toward his goal of teaching. He knew being a teacher would be a blessing but working construction with his father would pay just as much or more. He could spend more time with family. Cary was torn. He wanted badly to leave school and the stress behind yet wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do.
With indecision clouding each and every day, Cary decided to visit his pastor. With his pastor’s encouragement, Cary spent more time in prayer after classes and study. He even fasted for a day. He also stopped by his old elementary school to visit his favorite teacher. After only a week, Cary had decided to stick it out at college and finish his degree instead of switching to construction work. He decided it was God’s will. Cary spent more time praying, visited his pastor a few more times for encouragement, and continued down that road toward his degree in education.
I’m glad Cary completed his education and became a teacher. He became one of my best friends and an inspiration for me. I never knew all of Cary’s difficulties in becoming a teacher, until I sought out his wisdom while going through my own tough times. His faith, his gentle wisdom, and his wonderful patience became my saving grace!
Every one of us has days like Cary, where indecision takes hold or difficulties overwhelm. You may be experiencing pain, living with regrets, or suffering from a poor decision. Recurring sin may have eroded your faith. Insecurities may be stealing your confidence. Commitment issues might be damaging valuable relationships. Whatever it is that is pulling you down is forcing you to make decisions. Sooner or later, you are going to have to decide what is most important. Values or commitments may need to change. Habits may need to be broken. Commitments may need reevaluation. Through it all, godly patience will be required. Will you stay true to God’s call or take sinful shortcuts? Will you succumb to bad influences or hold true to faithful virtues? Will you be obedient to God or not?
The scripture for today from Psalm 40 contains David’s wisdom during rough times. We don’t know what “pit of destruction” or “miry bog” had wreaked havoc on David’s life, but the toll was substantial (Psalm 40:1). In the midst of his dark days, David cried out to God. Yes, he cried. That’s what Psalm 40:1 explains. That verse also tells us that through it all, David remained faithfully patient to God’s will until God heard his cry and brought healing with wholeness (Psalm 40:2). Through patience, David’s feet left that “miry bog” and were set by God on “solid rock”.
Have you ever been on ground that is like “miry bog”? It is unstable. Each step is difficult. It is easy to twist an ankle or end up covered in mud. Spiritually, you will find yourself every now and then caught up in the “mud and mire” of sin or failure or burden. You might feel like your life is sinking in the mire of a broken marriage, lost job, sickness, or any number of trials. Instead of letting despair or depression overtake you, do what it takes to be faithfully patient throughout your time. God’s blessings will be found at the end of that road. If you remain patient in God’s will, the time will come for your redemption. David found that to be true. You will, too!
What needs your godly patience today? How is your faithful patience blessing others? Are you willing to be patient even when things get tough? Hold fast to God… always.