The strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord
will be renewed.
They will soar on wings like eagles.
They will run and won’t become weary.
They will walk and won’t grow tired.
Isaiah 40:31
I mpatience is not a virtue. When you look at a situation in your life and decide that it’s moving too slow for you and you’re gonna take matters into your own hands instead of waiting for God, you turn your back on the God who was going to do it for you or through you. For a while this approach might work, and you might get things done. The attention you wanted might come your way, the dreams you had might be coming true, but if what you did was in your own strength and not the strength of the Lord, then your energy is gonna run out and your success is gonna turn to failure.
When you think you need something in this life, it’s almost second nature to dive in headfirst and get things done. You take charge of your life and even the lives of others and do what you can to ward off loneliness, suffering, and what you think are the mean acts of mean people. But maybe the loneliness and suffering that would come by waiting on God to meet all your needs are just what your soul needs.
To wait on God means to trust him with every part of your life— especially the parts where you have to be patient. Patience is a virtue because it teaches your heart not to rely on its own understanding but to trust in the Lord (see Prov. 3:5). When you wait on God, your eyes aren’t on yourself but are looking upward in hopeful anticipation of his next move. When that’s your position, you’re gonna see his glory and his love start to work in your life. Eyes focused on God might see trials and even danger, but they aren’t overwhelmed with fear. They are never weary and never fail because they always see God’s tender, loving care and ability to meet all your needs.