Why we rush God (or want to)

I think impatience might be demonic

I’ll be the first to admit it, my patience has favorites.

I have no problem (most of the time) being patient with my daughter. She’s only existed on this earth for 3 years, and because of her short tenure here, I think she’s due a lot of understanding and grace as she learns the ropes of this here thing called life.

My husband, on the other hand? I struggle to extend him the same amount of patience (which I share as a confession, not as something I am proud of or think is okay), because in my mind, he’s been on this planet for 33 years and has been with me for 6 of these 33, so c’mon, my love, GET IT TOGETHER!

Like I said, my patience plays favorites.

And when it comes to being patient with God, I’ve got loads of room to grow there too.

There have been so many moments in my life where, in hindsight, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s timing— for “the wait” and for the closed doors that felt like the end of the world, but were actually perfectly positioned to redirect my path.

But in that same hindsight, I also think back to my attitude during “the wait” I’m now grateful for and the (spiritual) temper tantrum I threw because I didn’t want to still be waiting. I think about the times hopelessness started to creep in because I felt confused and frustrated trying to figure out what on earth God could possibly be doing.

And yes, it’s not lost on me that little old me, questioning the methods and ways of the God of the Universe, is crazy, but if you’re reading this, I guarantee that you’ve done it too. It doesn’t make it right, but it does mean we’re not alone in the places our mind and heart tend to drift when more patience than we have (read: want) to exercise is being required of us.

Why are we so quick to rush God? Why does our impatience lead us to question His character, His promises, and His goodness? What is it about “the wait” that reveals things in us that other seasons never seem to touch? Me, personally, I think it’s because the wait has a way of exposing what comfort and control tend to keep hidden.

Follow me, friend.