Do you ever have trouble being patience with God? You’ve been praying for a certain situation for quite a long time, and nothing has changed. You may be thinking, “I wish God would hurry up!” You’re beginning to wonder if He is really listening. And if He is, then why doesn’t He answer?

The Bible gives us light on that question. Romans 8:25 says, “If we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” Hebrews10:36 says that if the answer doesn’t come immediately, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

Perhaps you noticed two little words that are in both of those verses: the word “patient” and “patiently”—not our favorite words. Most of us really aren’t interested in getting patience. We want the answer! Besides, how do we get patience? The Bible says, “tribulation works patience” (Romans 5:3 AKJV). Tribulation? I want an answer to my prayer, not more trouble than I already have.

But, you see, God’s timetable is entirely different from ours. The apostle Peter tells us “that one day is as a thousand years with the Lord, and a thousand years as one day: (2 Peter 3:8 RSV).

So, be patient with God.  After all, He is very patient with us. Psalm 37 says (verse 7), “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” Again, in another Psalm He repeats those words, “Yes, wait patiently for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

Take heart. As my husband says, “God is seldom early, but He is never late.” He is always right on time. “For the Lord is a faithful God,” said Isaiah, “Blessed are those who wait for his help” (Isaiah 30:18).