The World’s Hardest Task || Thought Provokers || Week 2

I am wrapping up tax season and am behind schedule. Instead of our regularly scheduled Manna for the Minds, enjoy an old youth series I created: “Thought Provokers”

Today, we are going to talk about why it’s hard to accept change. There are two scriptures that I think answer this question. Let’s jump into it!

Point #1       We have to be patient during the process.

We need to have patience during the process. We need to remember that change may be quick physically, but it takes longer mentally and spiritually. Sometimes it just takes a while for change to settle in. When the pandemic first started, it took almost two weeks for me to accept the new normal. It took me about two months before I would call it the COVID-19 pandemic because of this struggle to accept change. It takes time that we don’t want to take. Peter talks about needing patience God has with us.

2 Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised – the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change this heart and life.”

How many of you prayed to God for something? Could have been a new job, relationships, school, friends, life, or anything. We know that God hears and responds to our prayers, but there are times when we feel like nothing change. We get upset with God for not working quickly for us and changing them ASAP. Change again takes time and patience. As Peter said, the Lord isn’t being slow. The Lord is preparing us to receive an answer for these prayers. Not on our time, but on his. God encourages to be patient in the process. This very talks about repenting and to going away from what God wants for us. I think this verse applies to everyday life though. We may want to make all these changes, but we aren’t willing to do the work to make changes. We want to have God be a genie to grant us three wishes. God doesn’t work that way. God will teach us how to make change. Sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s hard. The process of us growing during the change is what God wants us to take notice of. You may not like your job, so you take some classes and receive certifications to get better, and then apply to a new job. You may break up with your significant other and take some time to yourself before jumping into a new relationship. The process of change will take you from your lows to our highs just requires patience.

Point #2       God works on his own clock.

His concept of time and our concept of time are wildly different. We might think God is ignoring us, but really, the prayers will be answered next week or next month or next year.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: “There is a right time for everything. Everything on earth has its special reason.”

Everything will happen when it needs. We often don’t know that until happens. Every heartbreak leads to your marriage. Every job rejection leads you to your dream job. All the hardships, frustrations, and anxieties you felt during these low points will strengthen you when you reach your high points. You may have seen me say: “Your tests will turn into your testimony.” There’s truth in that. All the things you learn on your come-up will strengthen you as you succeed, but it will require time. God will let us take as much time as need to learn what’s needed so he can answer our prayer. God uses us to answer the prayer that we wanted him to answer. Think about what you learn in the meantime. Think about the anxiety hack you learned God asked to take away the anxiety attacks. Think about those new relationships you gained when you asked God to take away your loneliness. Your prayers weren’t answered on your time how you thought they would, God works on his own clock.

Bottom Line

We must be patient in the process because while change may happen quickly physically, change takes time mentally and spiritually. God works on his own clock, as frustrating it may be for us. God teaches us the strengths and necessary thing we need in order to see our prayers answered.