2:46 – Better Than Expected But Not As Fast As I Want

#faithbites #faithjourney expected

Recovering from surgery is rough. It doesn’t matter how minor it is or how major, it’s a long road and just kinda sucks some days. People ask me how I’m doing. My response has been “Better Than Expected But Not As Fast As I Want”. I’m healing, gaining more strength, able to do more things, but still not able to do everything I want to.

Tonight we ventured out of the house to go to dinner then to visit my eldest at a cookie booth. It took it out of me. I thought I was doing good, but maybe not as good as I thought. My wife is worried about me trying to go back to work next week.

When I think of this, I’m reminded of everything we go through in life. We know that nothing too good or too bad lasts too long, but the bad stuff seems to drag on and on and the good stuff is gone quicker. It’s during these highs and lows when our patience and faith in God’s plan is tested.

Scripture

• For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. – Romans 8:18
• Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9
• But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:25

Reflection

God’s word is filled with verses about being patient and having faith in the Lord. It is hard when things don’t seem to be going your way, the healing is slower than you want, and you just want resolution but it’s not here. Both of the Romans verses tell us to be patient and that the sufferings we have know will be more than made up for with the Glory of God. We just have to be patient for it. The Galatians verse calls to me tonight specifically because we know that we will receive Christ’s inheritance but we must not give up. We must not be turned to the ways of the world because we are tired, weary, and in pain. Everything we need will be given to us in time. We just must wait.

I know that my knee is healing and I will be able to do everything I want to in good time. My brain knows that, but my restlessness and strive for perfection keeps me wanting it now. This is a demon that many of us wrestle with. The balance between pushing ourselves to be better and stronger vs being impatience. If we trust that the Lord will bring us healing and his full Glory, then we will wait. It’s not easy mind you, but something we need to do.

Charge

This may be one of the more difficult charges as it requires you to take no action. In fact, this charge is one of mental action but physical inaction. Basically think of something that you need to wait for but are impatient about. Do nothing. Think about it, reflect on it, and see if any action would actually speed up when that thing would arrive. In most cases, action not only wouldn’t speed it up but could hurt other things in your life. Work hard, breathe, and be patient. God will answer you prayers.

Prayer

My Lord, My God. Hear my prayers for healing. Touch all of those in need with your healing hands. Help all of your children to be patience and just breathe. Give us the strength to know that you have us all in your plans and we will receive your Glory in time. In your Gracious Name, Amen.