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Patience, Perfection, and Promises

I’ve never particularly cared for phrases like “good things come to those who wait” or “patience is a virtue.” Waiting for something to happen that you know is inevitable is not a fun or easy task. In fact, this last month has left me feeling a little stalled out on this writing journey. Enter the word of the Lord.

“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Obviously, God’s timing is perfect. But when I’m in the waiting, it seems like Heaven doesn’t hear. Or perhaps, I misunderstood God’s mission. I have to stop and force myself to look back on the journey to reflect on how far He has brought me. All while I thought I was just waiting, God was working for my good. When I stop to see that goodness, I can carry on in patience.

“So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of my favorite Bible verses. In the full context of the chapter, James is charging early Christians to be patient in suffering. I certainly can’t say that I am suffering as the early Church did, but waiting on a promise fulfilled can become tiresome. It can become easy to lose hope. Instead, God reminds me, just when I need it, that patience endurance is what I need now so that His work in me will be perfect and entire.

I don’t want this treasured calling to be premature. I will not force ministry to happen if God hasn’t ordained it. Instead, I will patiently wait for my perfect Father in Heaven to open doors as He sees fit. And I will trust Him when doors close. 

If you are waiting on a promise to be fulfilled, take heart, friend. Be patient as God perfects your faith. When the timing is right, that promise will come to pass.



© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved

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