Progress Is Made One Step at a Time

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”

—JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

—James 1:4

Anything that grows and changes does so progressively. When a seed is planted in the ground, it does not immediately sprout and produce fruit. The farmer must be patient and so must we. God helps us defeat our enemies little by little (see Deuteronomy 7:22); rarely does He wipe them all out in one fell swoop. As we are diligent to study His Word, He changes us into His image, little by little (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). We inherit the promises of God through faith and patience (see Hebrews 10:36).

Being impatient only tends to make us miserable, and it does not make God hurry. His timing is perfect and the best thing we can do is make a decision to enjoy the journey. Enjoy every step of your progress, or you will waste a lot of your life being frustrated about something you cannot change.

Expecting instant gratification is an unrealistic expectation and will only leave you frustrated and disappointed. If you desire to simplify your life, then you must change the way you approach everything. Understanding that everything is a process which takes time will help you relax and enable you to enjoy every step of the way.

The fruit of patience is a seed resting in you, and as you wait with a good attitude, it develops and grows. You may not be where you want to be, but you are making progress!