Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. James 5:7

 

Are you in a miserable situation that you can’t wait to get out of?

 

Andrew needs a new job. He’s outgrown his current role at his company, there’s no possibility of moving up and he knows he’s not earning what he could be. His job search seems stalled…and he’s becoming obsessively bitter about his present employer.

 

Psychologists tell us that when we can’t do anything about an undesirable situation in our lives, we need to practice something called acceptance. It’s true that resisting events or circumstances doesn’t change things, no matter how bad they may be. Besides wasting time and energy, if you’re a follower of Jesus, you’re effectively saying no to what God is apportioning for your life.

 

Acceptance doesn’t mean we’re giving up on what we want to change. It means that we are willing to accept what God gives until the time He appoints for our change. Scripture speaks gently to us when we’re waiting for new growth in our lives. It says, “Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains” (James 5:7). Is it raining in your life right now? Have the early rains soaked you so thoroughly you can’t imagine still having to wait for the late rains before your situation changes?

 

It’s ok to not like your current situation, to feel bad about it and to let God know how miserable you are. But know that you are exactly where He has put you today—He makes no mistakes, and He alone has the power to change us even while the undesirable circumstances of our lives have yet to change.