Chapter 20
Don't make me wait for anything; I deserve everything immediately. Wilderness Mentality #5
Before reading this chapter, I considered myself a patient person. After reading this chapter, I had to ask myself do I "wait well"? While I am waiting what is my mentality? Am I being positive? Or am I thinking negative thoughts? Am I anxious? Am I operating in pride as I wait, thinking that I shouldn't have to wait or I don't deserve to wait?
From this chapter I found two main reasons why I don't wait well: pride and idealistic thinking. "Pride prevents patient waiting because the proud person thinks so highly of himself/herself that he/she believes he/she should never be inconvenienced in any way." I would have never thought that impatience is a result of being prideful. However it makes so much sense now after reading this chapter. A prideful person thinks he/she should not be inconvenienced in any way. Of course no one enjoys being inconvenienced; but, a humble person that has learned to wait well understands that any inconvenience is temporary and is an opportunity to develop more patience. Romans 8:28 says, ALL things work together for our good. This includes inconveniences. I need to change my perception and realize that any inconvenience I encounter is actually working for my good and helping me mature spiritually.
The second reason why I don't wait well is because of idealistic thinking. Joyce Meyer says, "If we get the idea in our heads that everything concerning us and our circumstances and relationships should always be perfect - no inconveniences, no hindrances, no unlovely people to deal with- then Satan is setting us up for a fall through wrong thinking." These are thoughts that I have had about my life for as long as I could remember. I would think and day dream of a life where I had no inconveniences or problems. In my imagination, I lived a perfect life, with a perfect family, perfect friends, perfect money, etc. It is this type of thinking that causes me to be easily frustrated and upset when things do not go the way that I anticipated or happen when I expected them to happen. But I have to realize that REAL life is full of inconveniences, problems, heartache, disappointment, etc. John 16:33 says, "In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer! For I have overcome the world." Jesus reminds us in the word that life is not going to be perfect, but we can rest in the fact that even in life's imperfect moments God still has us!
After reading this chapter, I know that I cannot afford to continue to operate in pride and idealistic thinking. I want to learn to wait well on the Lord. Waiting is an opportunity for me to learn, grow, and exercise humility. My daily prayer will be: "Lord, I want Your will in Your timing. I don't want to be ahead of You, nor do I want to be behind You. Help me, Father, to wait patiently on You!"
Mrs. Damonic Davis
Woman After God's Own Heart
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