Faith for the Impatiently Annoyed – Thyme4Faith

Finding yourself impatiently annoyed at times? Share this Thyme4Faith insight for a new perspective.

Faith for the Impatiently Annoyed

Instant messaging, fast food, rapid answers to all our questions. It’s no wonder we expect life to happen instantaneously. Society and technology have led us to believe that waiting of any kind is bad. Waiting can actually make us anxious and annoyed. If you’re anything like me, waiting can also make you restless.

Then my perspective is enlightened after reading Curious Faith: Rediscovering Hope in the God of Possibility by Logan Wolfram. In her book, Logan poses the question “Are we willing to be curious enough while we wait to wonder what God may be up to? Curious enough to  wonder what He may be preparing us for?” That certainly puts a new spin on things.

Waiting on What?

But what are we talking about? Big things like waiting for our long-term dreams to come true? Or perhaps waiting to find Mr. or Mrs. Right? Or are we talking about small everyday things like waiting at the check-out counter? Or waiting on hold to talk to customer service? Perhaps it is both. The fact is, waiting is a part of life. Since that is the case, what if we changed our perspective about waiting? Let’s take a look at what Logan has to say on this idea:

“Waiting is courageous. Waiting is brave. Waiting is active. Waiting is full of experience along the way. It’s not a void that we’re stuck in until something new happens. It doesn’t make us victims of circumstances we can’t change. Waiting is growing, and is pursuit.  Waiting cultivates strength and rich experience.”

Reflect & Connect Instead

How can waiting be all these things? When I look back on seasons of waiting in my life, I see that things actually did happen. Even though it didn’t feel like it at the time, God was transforming my character as well as my circumstances.

I am also challenging myself to be more present in the everyday situations of waiting. One way is to resist the urge to pull out the phone as a way to fill the void. Instead, I look around and connect with the people around me if I am in public. If I am alone, I check in with God. It might be to share how I am feeling. Or I might try to recall a faith message I’ve recently learned. Better yet, I take time to give thanks for something God has done for me. Strangely, the impatience and annoyance melt away when I do this. Give it a try it the next time you find yourself getting impatiently annoyed. You might be surprised by what God can do while you are waiting!